The Grapevine
Number 130                                                                      
June 18, 2006
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
Everyday in Training
by Jack Northart

Years ago, there was a man who was coming to our home fellowhip who was had won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics for cycling. At that time, he had turned professional, and was racing for a very competitive cycling team in the U.S. One of the most amazing things to me was his committment to train everyday. He would ride his bike through the mountains of Colorado, down onto the plains, and then back into the mountains were he lived. Each day, he would ride in excess of 30 mph, and travel over 150 miles! His eating regimen was also very calculated and deliberate. To him, he was always in training for the world championships; nothing less would be sufficient.

I Timothy 4:7-8
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
For bodily exercise profiteth little [or "for a little while"], but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Some people live their lives on the shirt tails of others, bouncing around from one idea to the next; comparing themselves to the lives and beliefs of others, and trying to pattern themselves after someone else. They enjoy being a spectator in life, rather than participator. For those who want to live for God and participate in this life in a godly way, there is some effort, some training and discipline that goes into making that way of life successful. Training for godliness is an everyday exercise.

I am sure that there were many days when my cycling friend would not want to make the effort to train himself. Perhaps it was cold outside, or even worse, snowing outside. He would have to push himself hard to train when he didn't feel like it. However, his committment to be the best meant that he would need to train, even in the most unsuitable conditions and times.

I Corinthians 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate [exercises self-control] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under [discipline] my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [or disqualified].

It takes real effort to exercise and train yourself physically, and it takes effort to exercise and train yourself for spiritual matters. If we slack off in either one, the results become evident and we come out lacking what we need to be successful. Furthermore, it is not just training hard, but  with an emphasis on disciplined training, according to rules of the game.

Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We press upward toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us upward in Christ Jesus. The Greek word in verse 14 for "press" means to pursue; putting everything into it to reach the goal. There will be immediate, as well as ulitmate benefits for this effort. Our training for this prize must be calculated, disciplined and constant.

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.

The word, "study" in this verse is the Greek word, spoudazo, which means to put forth a diligent effort with all speed. Diligent effort is essential in this race; disciplining ourselves according to what is set forth in God's Word.

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

We are all members of the Body of Christ. As in cycling, it takes each individual's best effort to compete, and as a result, the entire team comes out victorious.

Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The whole body is joined and held together by every joint that it has. It is from Christ that the whole body increases as each different part does its work. It grows and becomes stronger in love as each part works properly, so that it builds itself up in love.

When we exercise or train ourselves to live for God, we want to be the best we can be. Therefore, everyday we are in training. Everyday it takes effort to push ourselves and discipline ourselves to be the best. We aren't trying to just show up for the race everyday, but our goal is set to achieve the championship, both in this life and in the life to come, and throughout eternity.