Fit For the Kingdom

Health magazines are constantly giving advice on what it takes to become and to remain physically fit. Some of the top recommendations are setting goals, eating nourishing foods, tracking daily progress, and to seek out support that will help you achieve your goals. This is good advice for not only our physical well-being but for our spiritual fitness as well. Let’s look at what the Bible says in regard to these things to help us become and remain spiritually fit.

Realize where we are at – then set a rational goal. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Our goal should be to obey Christ in all things and strive to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10) so that we can gain eternal life with Him.

Eat nourishing food. “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed” (1 Timothy 4:6). “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). It is important that we continue with a steady diet of nourishing spiritual food absorbed by reading God’s Holy Word daily.

Track your progress. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Make sure we keep track of progress so that we can know that we are truly progressing and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We don’t want to become complacent and fall back into the ways of the world.

Seek out support. “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Our daily walk with God will be so much easier when we have faithful brothers and sisters in Christ to be with. They can encourage us, and we can encourage them. Let us never forget the words of Jesus as he said “...No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Let us keep our hands to the plow as we strive to be pleasing to God daily, serving Him in His kingdom, and longing to be with Him eternally in heaven!