Ina typical gym, you see people engaging in various forms of exercise, primarily aiming to build muscles through strength or resistance training, lose fat, or simply stay in shape. However, one thing most aspiring gym enthusiasts are often unprepared for is the pain that accompanies these gains.

The big question is: Why is this so?

The pain or discomfort during exercise is typically due to the strain on muscles, known as “muscle fatigue” or sometimes “the burn.” This results from lactic acid buildup or micro-tears in the muscles. When these tears heal, the muscles grow stronger and bigger. This tells us that in exercise, the allure of the ripped physique we often desire must be preceded by the pain of exertion. Interestingly, God’s Word has something to say about this.

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

God acknowledges the profit in going to the gym, so it’s wise to pay attention to our physical health and exercise regularly. However, more importantly, we must consider the spiritual parallel; building our spiritual muscles through spiritual exercises. This is where true profit lies. Reflecting again on our scriptural text:

“GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL THINGS, HAVING PROMISE OF THE LIFE THAT NOW IS AND OF THAT WHICH IS TO COME.”

Looking at this text with the mindset of a smart businessperson, one word that stands out is “profit,” and another is the phrase “all things.” We live in a world of commerce where different commodities or actions yield varying degrees of profit or loss, depending on the context. However, we seldom come across something with universal profit in all areas and contexts. Yet, this is precisely what God promises if we embrace His life. Knowing that God doesn’t speak carelessly, we can confidently bank on this claim.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” — Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)

“…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began…” — Titus 1:2 (NKJV)

Now that we’ve established that God’s claim is true, the question is: What is godliness, and how can we tap into it to profit in all things?

The Greek word translated as “godliness” in our anchor text is “eusebeia,” from the root word “seb,” meaning reverence or worship. Adding the prefix “eu” now gives it the meaning “right worship” or “reverence,” and this reverence is clearly directed toward God Almighty. If we apply this meaning to our text, it reads:

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but the right worship/reverence to God is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8 (Emphasis Mine)

From this, we can deduce that spiritual exercise entails living a life of deep devotion to God in reverence and worship. According to the scriptural law of first mention, worship often involves sacrifice. This sacrifice, fueled by devotion, becomes the “pain threshold” of spiritual exercise.

In demonstrating devotion to God, many aspects of worship will require us to let go of self. This journey of self-denial can be challenging — sometimes even painful — but it ensures that self is not merely pushed to the background but is instead suppressed to the point where what remains visible is the work of God’s Spirit in us.

Just like in physical exercise, sacrificing the desires of the flesh is painful. However, the promise of “profit in all things” should motivate us to embrace the journey of godliness. This life of reverence and worship includes various spiritual exercises such as extended time in the Word, persevering in prayer, upholding spiritual and moral ethics, adopting a modest outlook on life, cultivating contentment in our current state, and other acts led by the Spirit of God.

At times, these demands may seem difficult, but we can rest assured that God’s Spirit is there to help us. Even when godliness seems painful, remember that endurance, patience, and long-suffering are fruits of the Spirit, and you are on the path of true profit.

In all these things, keep the experience of our Lord Jesus at the forefront. Fix your eyes on Him, as the writer of Hebrews encourages us:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)

Shalom,

Nonso Orji