Bible Reading: Jeremiah 3,4, 5; 1 Timothy 4
“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” 1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV).
The little profiting of bodily exercise as stated above is in comparison to godliness which is spiritual exercise. The bodily exercise when considered without reference to spiritual exercise, otherwise known as godliness, can be of great benefit. Bodily exercise can help to achieve great results to the human body. It can even save life from untimely death. It can improve the efficiency of the working of the organs of the body. However, it is mostly for the human body which consist mostly of the organs, cells and the human flesh. Such bodily exercise includes some order kind of exercises such as yoga exercises, fasting for the purpose of enhancing the health of the human body, etc..
Improvement of the human body does not in any way have the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. Godliness or spiritual exercise is attained mostly through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (The Incarnate Word), studying and meditating on the written Word of God. This was what Apostle Paul meant when he said in 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV), “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” God has provided us all things that is applicable to life and godliness. These things are received or gained through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus meant in John 10:10 (KJV), “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The devil, who is the thief, through its activities lures us into sin which pollutes and weaken our body system and exposes man to sickness and diseases (come to steal our health), this consequently lead to death (came to kill) and eventually result in someone ending up in hell (and to destroy). Jesus said I have come that they might have life (divine health – healthy), and have it more abundantly (the immortal life).
The book of 2 Timothy 1:10 (KJV) succinctly summarize the life we have received as believers in Christ, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” This life and immortality that Jesus brought to light is accessable through the great and exceeding promises enclosed in the word of God, referred to as the divine nature. “Whereby are giving unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having overcome the corruption that is in the world through lust” 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV). The gain from godliness is unquantifiable and enormous both in this life and in the life to come.
Dear reader, the above are truth of scriptures are incontestable. It, therefore, require that for you to access these great benefits of godliness you need to embrace Christ and make Him your Lord and Saviour. Make hay while the sun shines!!!
Prayer: Father, thank you for making me a recipient of your divine nature by Christ Jesus.
Brother Joel Ezeugo