READING: 1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
We don’t often think of physical exercise as part of discipleship. Indeed, we sometimes wrongly run to Paul’s words to allow us to avoid exercise: “For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim 4:8). While it is true that physical exercise produces fleeting benefits—particularly in comparison to the eternal value of godliness—it’s not the case that the Bible allows us to ignore our physical well-being.
Reasons for our taking care of the bodies God has given us are numerous. First, God created us as physical and spiritual beings, and we must steward wisely all that He has given us. Second, we’re likely better witnesses to the gospel if we’ve taken care of ourselves; a lack of discipline in exercise sends the wrong signal to a non-believing world. Third, taking care of ourselves should lead to better health, out of which we can more fully serve God.
Thus, we should build exercise accountability into our disciplemaking strategy. In that way, our disciplemaking is more holistic, and our disciples serve God with their entire being.
PRAYER: “God, I commit to take care of myself physically and encourage others to do the same for themselves.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalm 146-150, 1 Corinthians 15:50-16:24
