Glorifying God With A Healthy Body
Christian fitness involves everything from weight lifting, aerobics, weight loss, cardiovascular training and other forms of physical activity. Physical activity and/or exercise are a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Many people will forever hope and look for the ‘magic pill’ to avoid exercise. It will NEVER be that simple! You have to accept the fact that exercise is necessary to build stamina and muscles. It will help the quality of your daily life because you will not get tired easily and you will have more energy to perform your daily tasks at a high level. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) informs us For bodily exercise profits a little, but Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. You must remember that at the time Paul wrote this, most people walked EVERYWHERE! Exercise was not going to be high on the list of priorities. Today, you can drive a car, ride a bike, or use public transportation. You also have more time for leisure. It is necessary for you to actually make time and put forth the effort in various activities in order to get the same amount of exercise Paul was getting naturally on a daily basis. Also, notice that Paul doesn’t say exercise has no profit. He says it DOES have profit, but he wants you to keep it in its proper perspective. He states that Godliness is more profitable and, thus, what is really important! Godliness is the careful observance of God’s laws.
This leads us to the next point. If you are a professional athlete, fitness trainer, or you engage in other professions that require a lot of physical activity, a fit body is necessary. However, most Christians should only engage in moderate exercise. Your Christian fitness involves a balanced life that includes God, family, career, relationships and recreation. To live the victory, you MUST make time for your spiritual life first and then everything else falls into place after that. As Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) states, But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Physical appearance is important, but as a Christian, you are not to conform to the ways of this world. Romans 12:2 (NIV) says Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Do not get caught up in the fleshly outer beauty the world focuses on. Instead, focus on your inner beauty. 1Peter 3:3-4 (NIV) tells us Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of fine jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. Many Americans spend lots of time, energy and money to maintain their outward appearance. God wants us as followers of Christ to spend most of our time and energy growing spiritually and developing good character. In 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) the LORD says “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”. If you take things to the extreme to get the ‘perfect body’, your physical appearance can become a matter of pride. You want to avoid that at all costs. James 4:6 (NIV) tells us, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I am sure we can all agree that NONE of us wants God opposing us for any reason whatsoever. You do not want to have any form of vanity. Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) says, Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. You should be thankful God has given you the opportunity, strength and ability to exercise and care for your body.
In conclusion, Christian fitness is not primary, but it is a significant part of your Christian lifestyle. As a Christian, you should want to exercise to maintain a healthy body and improve your quality of life. God wants you to glorify Him in all areas of your life and a healthy body is no exception. Paul sums it up this way, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (Romans 12:1, 1Corinthians 6:20 NIV). Christian fitness honors God!
Go Live The Victory!
