1Timothy 4:7-9
But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 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. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
Exercise yourself toward godliness! Equip yourself for participation in the coming Kingdom!
Train naked in the pursuit of His nature, His Spirit in your own life. That’s the word used here. Full of meaning and consistent with the full gospel of the kingdom in that we are being groomed for His full gaze and for full service to Him as kings and priests to reign with Him forever. That requires a full examination and continual exposure to holiness in order to become like Him. Dealing with that which is not like Him is “here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept”. The little things make up the big picture of godliness just as protons and neutrons compose the nucleus of the atom. If something goes awry at the atomic level where the little things are, we have a problem every where else and a huge plume of smoke and ash and a nice crater mark the spot!
Deal with the little things and the rest become possible in Jesus the Christ. Train naked, for “he who comes to God must believe that He is (God) and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb 11:6.
The man who fears the LORD learns to hide nothing but exposes all and lays his innermost being on the examination table for disposition at the LORD’s pleasure. This takes work. Would He approve my thought life? Would He praise my secret ambitions? Would I stand proud before Him when my works are laid bare? Will He proclaim about me before His audience “well done good and faithful servant!” after He tests my works?
Reigning in the entire thought life seems formidable and impossible if taken in the aggregate or as a whole, but if one would take each thought as it comes and bring it into subjection/obedience to Yeshua as it occurs, and if one would deal with each sin properly before the Holy One as it occurs, and if one would take each possible opportunity, no matter how small or hidden, for giving oneself away in good works and love, then one is training himself in godliness by reigning in the little things, the least of things, and at the same time developing a growing faithfulness as a steward to the King of Kings who misses nothing and rewards with much more and true riches later.
Exercise yourself toward godliness! Equip yourself for participation in the coming Kingdom!
Train naked. No cloak. No fear. Nothing hidden. Nothing reserved for oneself for later. Exposed. After all, …
Hebrews 4:13
… there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
1Timothy 6:3-12
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2Peter 3:11-12
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 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. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
Exercise yourself toward godliness! Equip yourself for participation in the coming Kingdom!
Train naked in the pursuit of His nature, His Spirit in your own life. That’s the word used here. Full of meaning and consistent with the full gospel of the kingdom in that we are being groomed for His full gaze and for full service to Him as kings and priests to reign with Him forever. That requires a full examination and continual exposure to holiness in order to become like Him. Dealing with that which is not like Him is “here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept”. The little things make up the big picture of godliness just as protons and neutrons compose the nucleus of the atom. If something goes awry at the atomic level where the little things are, we have a problem every where else and a huge plume of smoke and ash and a nice crater mark the spot!
Deal with the little things and the rest become possible in Jesus the Christ. Train naked, for “he who comes to God must believe that He is (God) and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb 11:6.
The man who fears the LORD learns to hide nothing but exposes all and lays his innermost being on the examination table for disposition at the LORD’s pleasure. This takes work. Would He approve my thought life? Would He praise my secret ambitions? Would I stand proud before Him when my works are laid bare? Will He proclaim about me before His audience “well done good and faithful servant!” after He tests my works?
Reigning in the entire thought life seems formidable and impossible if taken in the aggregate or as a whole, but if one would take each thought as it comes and bring it into subjection/obedience to Yeshua as it occurs, and if one would deal with each sin properly before the Holy One as it occurs, and if one would take each possible opportunity, no matter how small or hidden, for giving oneself away in good works and love, then one is training himself in godliness by reigning in the little things, the least of things, and at the same time developing a growing faithfulness as a steward to the King of Kings who misses nothing and rewards with much more and true riches later.
Exercise yourself toward godliness! Equip yourself for participation in the coming Kingdom!
Train naked. No cloak. No fear. Nothing hidden. Nothing reserved for oneself for later. Exposed. After all, …
Hebrews 4:13
… there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
1Timothy 6:3-12
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2Peter 3:11-12
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?