Thought for the Day #112

GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE

1 Timothy 4:8 (New American Standard Bible)

“Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Statisticians declare that America has the most over weight people in the world.

The general population is consumed with body and mental fitness. More of our money is spent on dieting efforts, food supplements and physical fitness than we can imagine. Gyms and Health Spas are everywhere.

Is this wrong? No. Today’s lifestyle and food processing systems deny proper nutrition and physical exercise for most. It is only proper that we should do what we can to protect our health.

God makes it very plain that we are to respect and care for our body. He declares that it is the dwelling place (temple) of the Holy Spirit. It is not our own. He has bought us with a price and we are to keep it from immorality. (1Corinthians 6:19) Actually, we belong to Him. Much of our energy and resource is wasted if we violate the principles of God.

Let us walk beyond the entanglements of lustful sin and disobedience. Let us keep His covenant.

God’s chosen people are not limited to natural efforts. We must walk in godliness, which is profitable for all things. It assures success in our preparation for living, both in the present and the age to come.

Our spiritual relationship with God has far greater impact upon us than we realize. We are strengthened in every aspect of our life as we abide in his word. Constant obedience and fellowship with Him produces emotional and spiritual health.

“Godliness” establishes complete wholesomeness in us all. The Apostle Paul admonishes his disciple, Timothy, to be “nourished up in the “words of faith and good doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:6)

Unwholesome thoughts, wrongful attitudes, bitterness, unforgiveness and any other form of sin can bring infirmity and sickness upon us. Many Christians are incapacitated and frail, both physically and spiritually because of sin.

These things separate us from God’s covenant with his people, Israel. We can no longer claim his sustaining strength and blessing. Our natural efforts become ineffective because the law of “sin and death” rules us. We cannot invoke his promises when we walk in disobedience. We are left to our own wisdom and ability.

Proverbs 3:7-8 declares: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

Let this be a day of commitment and repentance. Let us live it in the full benefits of Jesus’ redemptive work. He has paid the price for our every need. Our emotional, physical and spiritual health is sealed in His sacrificial atonement. By his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

What a wonderful Promise! We can walk in health and righteousness. We can prepare for the age to come as we enjoy the promise of God’s health and happiness today.