1 Timothy 4:8 Godliness is Profitable
“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.”
In the American culture, we have been infatuated for decades with finding the perfect diet and with exercising enough. There has been one fad after another. We want to dress the best we can, and dress our kids in the latest styles. We are materialistically hungry and desire the most comforts. We’re incensed ensconced with physical health. The medical field dictates so much of our lives. We have one doctor’s appointment after another and take handfuls of vitamins, supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Pursuing physical health has become the American religion, the doctors are the priests, while exercise, dietary programs, medicines, and the like are the rituals and practices. The god so many worship is a picturesque view of a human, it is comfort, and it is long life. Americans want the sanitized, pain-free life.
Meanwhile, we neglect the human soul. Even those who claim the name of Christ, neglect their own souls. What it means to be human is to be both body and soul. You cannot be fully human, fully who the true and living God created you to be, in his image, while focusing on the body and neglecting your soul.
The Lord Jesus said what is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? What about the souls of those around us, those we love? And what about the souls of the next generation?
There is spiritual decay all around. Cancer of the soul. Danger. Threats. Vulnerabilities. Atrophy. In our world, in our country, in our community, in our families, and what about ourselves? What about your soul? Is it healthy? Are you healthy?
Christ’s death was physical, yes. But it was also spiritual. His atoning death was the agony of his soul to pay the penalty for our sins. He died in our place, bearing our guilt in his own sinless soul, in order to save our souls.
The Lord’s Supper ministers to the soul. The meal preaches to the soul. It gives knowledge and hope and faith and peace and joy and comfort to your soul. Remember: Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. As we eat and drink, we proclaim that Jesus died for our sins, that he was raised from the dead, and that he is returning again as Judge of the world and as Lord of lords. Our hope is to pass through the judgment and be told, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”