Tuesday, 11 February 2020

Train yourself in godliness

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Can we explore this phrase... 1 Timothy 4:7b "train yourself in godliness"?

Yes, let's do it right now. The connotation of Scripture is to connect physical training concepts to spiritual training. We lift weights to get in shape so we can lift heavier weights. Spiritually, God wants us to develop capabilities and increase capacities. Let's explore what those are. They are referenced at the end of the chapter.

1 Timothy 4:14-16 "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands of the elders. Practice these things - be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be clear to all. Give attention to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things, for in doing so you will save yourself and those who hear you."

"Practice these things..." Why? Because we improve our performance through practice. Some might say, "But I don't have to perform, I have grace." And we also have this verse ... 2 Timothy 2:15 "Make every effort to present yourself before God as tried and true, as an unashamed worker cutting a straight path with the word of truth."

How do we become proficient? The same way you get to Carnegie Hall ... practice, practice, practice.

Rabbi Trail: Training is a matter of becoming skilled. When we are learning, our cerebral cortex is activated. After training, the cerebellum is activated. The cerebellum responds automatically without having to learn. God wants us to be unashamed (like a basketball player at the free-throw line who makes the shot - after all, they're free - so we need not be ashamed). It is proven that the better free-throw shooters practice more. But we're talking about spiritual training. The same principles apply. End RT.

Yeshua has seen to it that you are gifted. And I don't care who you are, you are gifted. To say you are not gifted is to call Yeshua a liar. Ephesians 4:8 "Therefore it says, 'When He went up on high, He led captive a troop of captives and gave gifts to his people.'"

One last Scripture today ... 2 Timothy 1:6-7 "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and self-discipline."

Own it!