2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
I have never been much of a model of physical fitness. Yes, I recall my high school days (almost) when I was on the starting football team. I was in shape then, but for the most part I have always battled with a weight problem and, more often than not, I have lost that battle!
Therefore, I love it when Paul tells Timothy that bodily exercise “profits a little.” I am sure he wasn’t implying that we are not to exercise, but that is never to be our primary focus in life. If it is, we will be faced with dismay when the accumulated years begin to prevent strenuous activity.
So what, pray tell, is Paul saying? I feel that he is making a strong argument that if we place our emphasis on temporal things, we are wrong. I recall many of my classmates who were in much better physical condition than I ever was, but they have preceded me in death. (They have just reached heaven before me). In view of eternity, the things that really matter are the spiritual decisions we make.
As we look down the road of our life, we have no idea how long we have to live. Each of us is only one heart beat from eternity. Paul is saying that Godliness is always profitable for us. It is time for each of us to SHAPE UP spiritually!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil