Training in Godliness

Training in Godliness
Words of Faith 5-26-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Timothy 4
[7] Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. [8] For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. [9] This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance [10] (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

How can we train for godliness? Can we really achieve godliness the way an Olympian trains for the games? It seems unlikely. In many ways, "training" for godliness seems a futile endeavor doomed to severe failure. Some of the great Christian giants, like Paul, Luther, and Wesley, would attest to that. But that does not mean that training has no value.
There is something to be said for the classic disciplines‑‑ of meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, and worship‑‑ , to name a few. While no discipline can make you godly, the classic disciplines are tools by which we put ourselves in the way of God so that He can work on us and make us holy.
If you think about it, God builds the athlete's muscle, but only in cooperation with the self-discipline of the athlete. The athlete must run the course or lift the weight. Then God will do His marvelous work. Sanctification, the result of holiness that God does in a believer, comes slowly over time as we are more and more surrendered to Him, and more of God becomes evident in our lives and relationships. Spiritual disciplines help us do that. The disciplines prepare us for God's work in us. The disciplines allow us to really listen to God. We get confused when we think we are making ourselves holy by our actions or discipline. That is called self-righteousness, and it gets us nowhere.
Now there is a key to this that Paul gives‑‑ "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe." No matter how we train, our hope is NEVER in ourselves, only in the living God. Our salvation is NEVER in our discipline but only in the Savior.
So how is your training going? Are you putting yourself in the way of God? Are you finding Him in times of solitude? Discovering His wonder through simplicity? Communing with His Majesty in prayer and worship? Feasting upon Him in times of fasting? Let's get ready for the godliness He desires to work in us.

Lord, impress upon me today where you would like to meet me in a deeper walk with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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