Disciples Are Trained

Real Christians don’t try to be godly and Christ-like. They train to be so.

The Bible is clear that godliness is a result of training.

“…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.” (I Tim 4:7,8)

Training is hard work. It requires intentionality, focus and hard work.

A person preparing for training does not enter the training field hoping to achieve his aim. He enters it knowing that his aim is attainable, within reach and he throws himself into the entire routine. He does not look back, contemplates surrender nor entertain thoughts of retreat. He goes all the way.

So it is with our training to be godly.

We go in for the drill, we stick around through the sweat and we believe without a doubt that the end more than make up for the grueling journey.

We expect hardships. We anticipate difficulties. We foresee discouragements. We do not assume quick results.

So godly training starts with a hard– core conviction that echoes Paul’s passionate proclamation, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:8)