Over the years, I’ve seen fitness done in many different ways.
We see people dressed like wrestlers lifting barbells over their heads, athletes with endless miles to run, and people with nothing but a stroll to ease their stress.
Fitness is a complex topic where you could take it to the extreme or keep it simple.
But one thing I've learned about fitness is that everyone needs it.
By fitness, I mean physical well-being. Without it, we die. Without it, we walk around sick and limited. With it, we know life to be the adventure God created it to be.
For Christians, fitness is still a physical matter, but how and why we pursue good physical well-being should be based on biblical principles and science, not science alone.
This modern age offers many potential solutions, but we cannot heed them all. As Christians, we must weigh everything against scripture and proceed with wisdom.
So, let's identify a few solutions for healthy living as scripture defines.
Genesis 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
Fruits and veggies were God’s initial instruction to us regarding nutrition.
Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
After the flood, we received clearance to consume animals and animal products which are also created by God and organic in nature.
1 Timothy 4:8 For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
No, physical training doesn’t directly hold value for the life to come, but for the present life, it holds a lot of value. The scripture doesn't say “no value,” but "some," even though the focus of this scripture is on eternal value.
Train your body.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Without self-discipline, we are prone to sin and self-destruction. This is why so many have developed diseases and problems that were brought on rather than hereditary.
The untrained body and mind are a ticking time bomb and an obstacle at best.
We, as Christians, have an obligation to serve God and love him with our hearts, mind, soul, and strength.
Our bodies are to be presented as a living sacrifice to God, His temples meant for His worship.
We as individuals have been bought with a price, and it is with that understanding that we commit to a healthy lifestyle.
There's so much more to say on this topic, and I intended to say it right here on this blog, so make sure you subscribe to be included in the conversation.
I leave you with this benediction from 3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
