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The apostle Peter wrote:
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge" (2Pe. 1:5).
Just as in the physical realm, spiritual exercise is essential for good health. One of our main objects or goals, as Children of God, is to develop godliness. How does one go about the task of adding godliness to their life?
Exercise is Required
Paul counseled Timothy: "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 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" (1Ti 4:7-8).
Just as physical exercise provides benefit for healthy living, spiritual exercise provides benefit for godly living.
The type of spiritual exercise needed is also found in Paul’s counsel to Timothy: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee (1 Ti 4:12-16).
Obtain your spiritual exercise as you set a good example for others. Give attention to reading (especially the Word of God), exhortation and doctrine, i.e., make good use of your abilities and opportunities. Focus your efforts on such things, and your progress will be evident.
The basketball or football coach would use the term “hustle”, in his endeavor to get results from his team players. The apostle Peter's words that mean the same thing were translated, “giving all diligence” (2Pe 1:5).
In view of each of the apostles writings we cannot miss the importance of the need for exercise to obtain or maintain Total Health. Exercise is not always easy, but can be fun.
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