The Real Fitness Need
Appropriate, right, and healthy is in the keeping of our body. Eating, exercise, and rest are all needed in varying measure at different stages of our human existence.
As Christians, born again, children of God, we are temples of the Spirit of God. We glorify God in the keeping of our physical bodies. (I Corinthians 6:19-20) There is much profit in disciplined, self-controlled, and temperate living decisions.
Is there a more important fitness need than the keeping of our bodies? To be “fit” is to be adapted, suited, or prepared. When we add the suffix “ness” to the word “fit” we understand fitness as the state of being prepared, adapted, or ready.
The Real Fitness Need is not that we get the right exercise, eat the right foods, or rest the right number of hours. The real fitness need is that we are fit to enter at the narrow gate.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Strive this month and every month with a readiness to enter in at the narrow gate. Remove every sin that enlarges you, inflates you, and makes you “go with the flow”. Resist the temptations which so easily distract you causing you to embrace the ideas of the crowd. The more important workout than the daily treadmill walk is to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. (Philippians 2:12)
If you knew 3 days from now Jesus would return and determine if you were “fit” to enter the narrow gate, would there be any thing you’d do different between now and then? If so, begin today doing and/or being concerned about The Real Fitness Need. Begin a new fitness workout routine . . . working to keep yourself fit to enter at the narrow gate.
No matter how fit your natural body is through eating, exercise, and rest . . .it is perishable. It is only when The Real Fitness Test is met will our perishable body put on the imperishable. (I Corinthians 15:53-54) Seek today to be ready for The Real Fitness Need . . .to enter at the narrow gate which leads to an endless life.
Additional Thoughts
“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Ephesians 4:23
“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
“The best self-preservation is to commit ourselves to God’s keeping.” Matthew Henry