In 1 Timothy 4:7b-9 (NIV) the read the following exhortation the apostle Paul gave to Timothy, “…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.’” This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.”
I recently asked one of our local physical therapists the following question: “What percentage of the people who come to therapy would probably not be there if they had maintained a weekly routine of exercising throughout their lives?”
She did some research and replied that roughly 40%. So people could avoid about 40% of the problems that require physical therapy just through regularly exercising. I think we could assume that that helps explain what the apostle Paul means in giving us the saying that “physical training is of some value.” In other words, it stands to improve the quality of one’s life on earth. But, that’s it. It only helps our present life. Godliness, on the other hand, no only enhances our quality of life on earth but in eternity as well when God creates a New Earth for us to live on.
What is godliness? I suggest to you that it is to be always growing more and more receptive to God and what he wants to do in us and through us.
That is obviously going to benefit us here and now because wherever God is allowed to have his way, we are given more things to do for others followed up with greater peace and joy.
But how does godliness positively affect our life after death? Won’t everyone on the New Earth be given responsibilities in help others and be overflowing with peace and joy? Yes. However, not everyone will be given equal responsibilities. Perhaps we could compare a little bit of godliness to a thimble. The person will be given helpful things to do and will be filled and overflowing to the their own perfect contentment. However, a big godliness on earth we could compare to a 55 gallon drum. Like the thimble, it too is full to overflowing with peace and joy, but the assigned responsibilities given will be greater, and as such will mean greater honor.
