Living for the Future in the Present, Part 1 - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

"Train yourself in godliness for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come."

This is the first installment of an SBM mini-series. In this three-part series I will examine what the Apostle Paul had to say to Timothy about this theological supposition:

We live our lives in our present existence in anticipation of and in preparation for eternal life!

In other words, our present life is preparation for eternity.

This supposition is most apparent in the teachings of Jesus, particularly in His parables and proclamations of the near and coming Kingdom of God. When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God, He usually meant it as both present and future, already but not yet!

In contrast to the other New Testament gospels, the Apostle John uses the term “eternal life” to refer to the Kingdom of God.. For John, eternal life is life that starts now (in the present) and continues forever (into the future).

Thus, the gospel writers show us by way of the teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom of God and eternal life that people should live in this present age with respect to what will be the future reality.

Now, Paul clearly invokes this same theology in his admonition to young Timothy. But Paul's entreaty stipulates the it's our character that carries forward into eternity.

And Paul says that godliness is a character trait that has significance for eternity.

And, it's not only a theological fact, it's a reasonable assertion.

If you are planning to spend eternity with God, then you should learn to be like Him as much as possible:
     Do what He does!
          Like what He likes!
               And, dislike what He dislikes! 

And so Paul tells Timothy to train himself in godliness. Learn to become like God through disciplined practice--disciplined practice that is akin to the training one would follow to train the body for a competitive sport!

But godliness training is far more important than physical training because it has relevance for eternity. With godliness training a person receives eternal benefits--eternal life--while physical training only benefits a person in this present life.

Like physical training, godliness training should be rigorous and require exercise and practice: "We labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God" (vs. 10).

And any exercise program includes activities you should do and activities you should not do. For example, Paul instructs Timothy not to engage in the godliness demanded by "irreverent and silly myths" (vs. 7) requiring abstinence from certain foods or forbidding marriage. These kinds of demands don't necessarily develop eternal godliness because they are teachings that are concocted by people, not God.

So let us formulate a rigorous training plan for eternal life. A plan that will develop godliness in each of us through regular Bible study, prayer, meditation, and worship. And then let us go and practice godliness by serving people and proclaiming the gospel!

Living for the Future in the Present, Part 2>>