Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
November 1st 2022

The Training Called Godliness

Having nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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. I Timothy 4:7-8

Bible Reading: I Timothy 4

Today’s devotional is about godliness. Apostle Paul reiterates the need to train ourselves to be godly. His analogy to athletes reminds me of documentaries about athletes’ rigorous training only to win earthly trophies. Many athletes’ stories and giant strides have strengthened and motivated many people to be determined, disciplined, and tenacious. In our Bible reading, Apostle Paul directly compared godliness to training. By this analogy, Apostle Paul meant a rigorous, deliberate and concerted effort to live a godly life. Godliness requires sacrifice, self-control, diligence, and perseverance to die to the flesh and be alive to the Holy Spirit. This means that godliness requires humility to admit one’s weakness and a deliberate reliance on the Holy Spirit for power and grace.

Further, Apostle Paul’s comparison shows that godliness has to be learnt. Jesus Christ is our perfect example. He learnt obedience by everything he suffered, and he disciplined himself in order to subject the flesh (Hebrew 5:7-9). For instance, after fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus refused to turn stones into bread at the instance of the devil. Rather, Jesus disciplined the flesh and rebuked the devil through the word of God (Matthew 4). Also, He went through many sleepless nights to pray to His Heavenly Father. In essence, Apostle Paul summarized the training that godliness entails thus: “Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (I Corinthians 9:26-27).

Dear friends, look unto Jesus because he is the author and the finisher of our faith. Embrace the training and discipline that godliness requires so that as a Christian you can receive the value of godliness because “godliness has values for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (I Timothy 4:8). Simply exercise yourself unto godliness!

Self-Reflection: We are the product of our training. What training are you taking on for godliness?

Daily Confession: Lord I receive grace to submit myself to the training in this race

Intercessory prayer: Pray for our children and youths to choose godliness in their endeavours in Jesus’ name.

Hymn: Great is the mystery of godliness,

Great is the mystery of godliness.

The church is the pillar and base of the truth,

The church is the pillar and base of the truth.

The church is the house of the living God.

The church is the house of the living God.

God was manifested in the flesh,

Justified in the Spirit,

Seen by the angels, preached among the nations,

Believed on in the world, taken up in glory.