04/03/2008 1 Timothy 4:8

04/03/2008

1 Timothy 4:8 - 10 (HCSB)

⁸for,
    the training of the body has a limited benefit,
    but godliness is beneficial in every way,
    since it holds promise for the present life
    and also for the life to come.⁹This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.

Egyptian Kings were often buried with food and equipment to prepare them for the afterlife. Some were even buried with their attendants who would attend them in the afterlife. Emperor Qin of China had a tomb of more than 22,000 square meters prepared and 8,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses. This vast army, he believed, would accompany and protect him in the afterlife.

In our age, the saying has become common: “You can’t take it with you.” And sure enough, when we open these tombs, we find not only the bodily remains of the regents, but all the provisions they hoped to take. So, none of this was of any benefit to them in the afterlife.

So, what preparations can we, as Christians, make for the afterlife? Are there any provisions we can make for the afterlife? While we can exercise and discipline our bodies for health and stamina in this life-time, will that benefit endure our passing?

Paul answers these questions in the verses above. He points out that the training of the body is beneficial, but limited to this lifetime. But training of the spirit will endure.

Of course, this does not excuse us from healthful habits. Our bodies are still the “Temple” for the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to treat our bodies with respect and to avoid mutilation and unhealthy habits. But the distinction here is that we should be careful not to neglect our spiritual health.

We can often live this life as if this is all there will ever be. Thinking of an afterlife is not something we do very often. And when we do, I think we fail to think about preparing for that time.

Yet, as Paul points out; building up our spiritual health is beneficial even now. We should always strive to strengthen our faith. For in this, we draw closer to God and learn how to live this life more fully, while preparing for the life to come.

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