Heart Check: How Is Your Cardio?

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. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

Paul’s admonition to Timothy provokes a variety of reactions. For example, those who loath the thought of exercise might believe Paul gives them the ammunition to justify a sedentary lifestyle. The late comedian Red Skelton once quipped, “I get plenty of exercise carrying the coffins of my friends who exercise.”

However, others see value in physical activity. They would draw our attention to the health benefits, including disease prevention, increased stamina, mental acuity, and quality of life. It is well-known that gains in productivity and efficiency offset the time spent in moderate exercise.

Is this just one more issue that divides us as believers? As followers of Christ, the pursuit of obviously spiritual activity is of such great importance that to allow time for exercise should be considered wasteful. Or is there another way of seeing Paul’s instruction to Timothy?

How does physical fitness relate to spiritual fitness?

Throughout history, some theologians have sought to separate the body from the spirit. “Gnosticism regarded matter as absolutely evil, and the body as the seat and source of evil.” ^[1] These teachers relegated the physical body to a lower plane, and only spiritual life mattered. Gnostic doctrine is contrary to the teachings of the gospel. Our bodies matter to God, and they should matter to us as well. You have been bought and paid for, so honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (CEB)

Neglect or abuse of our bodies does not please God. Physical and cardio fitness might not seem as important as training for godliness, but it can affect our ability to serve. If we cannot climb a flight of stairs or a small incline without becoming winded, some opportunities to serve might not be available to us.

In the natural, heart fitness usually results in greater endurance. When we train, our cardiovascular systems give us the ability to go greater distances with efficiency. And as our physical endurance increases, our minds are sharper and more focused. In turn, this gives us the opportunity for more significant spiritual development. Body and spirit/soul function together for God’s glory.

May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NCV)

Balance

Because our whole self is valuable to God, we must understand what is needed to live a life that will honor him. We are encouraged to care for our bodies. After all, they are “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Paul conceded that physical training is beneficial, but to what extent?

Without question, exercise makes us feel better and even look better. There is nothing wrong with improving, but the significant value occurs when our spiritual development (i.e., godliness) increases accordingly.

It is possible to become so enamored with our physical abilities and appearance that we neglect the more important things. For the follower of Christ, the care of our body is for God’s glory. If it becomes about “six-pack abs” or swimsuit season, we are missing the target.

Any other goal than God’s glory reminds us of: “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NKJV)

Running with Endurance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

With our natural bodies, endurance increases as we train. We can push ourselves further and further as we practice. We may train with the goal of running in a race or perhaps, just for our individual fitness. In either case, a person must put forth a great effort to show improvement.

The race that we as followers of Christ run is the most significant one ever conceived. The great cloud of witnesses may consist of the heavenly beings and perhaps, the saints of God down through the ages. They are cheering us on to victory. They have already run their race, and they know what is required.

In our earthly bodies, we battle that extra weight that slows us down. (Carbs taste good.) In the heavenly race, have we identified what things slow us down? What are the sins that trip us up?

The Prize

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul urges us to “run in such a way as to get the prize.” He goes on to say: Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV). With all due respect to Paul and the promise of receiving a crown, the real prize is Jesus.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (The Message)

Heart Check

How is your cardio? Are you running to win?

Steve Ekeroth

 

^[1] John M’Clintock and James Strong, “Antitactæ,” Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1880), 280.