"This is a trustworthy saying" #2

1 Timothy 4:9 affirms the blessedness hope we obtain through this salvation -- blessings of being used by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all.

1 Timothy 4:8-10 8 "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Things that are to be avoided in our spiritual training are explain 1 Timothy 4:1-8
All that God has created are wonderful gifts: our true faith, marriage and food.  They are given to us by God and the use of them all, in the proper way, should bring Him glory and honor.
Verse 4-5 says Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

All things created by God are worthy to bring Glory to Him, and all our thanks and praise belong to our Creator.
Things we can do to promote godliness are found in 1 Timothy 4:14-16

Training for godliness, is using or spiritual gifts that are given to us by the Holy Spirit.  As we practice the spiritual gift(s) given to us, we, just like our muscles grow and stay healthy with exercise, will grow our spiritual muscles.  Our talents improve by exercise. 

For a reminder of the functional spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit see Romans 12:1-8. 

For a reminder of the manifestational gifts of the Holy Spirit see 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. 

For a reminder of the equipping gifts of the Holy Spirit see Ephesians 4:11-13. 

Each of the spiritual gifts given are for the benefit of others.
1 Corinthians 12:7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

In 1 Timothy we are reminded to give close attention to how we live, thus how we exercise (vs. 15).  Remember there is only one way to live out the instructions given to Timothy and that is to remain in Jesus.  As we remain in Jesus (John 15), we learn that our “training for godliness” has more to do with learning to love God, love one another, and to help those who don’t love Jesus to love Him.

Let us also always remember that as we “Give our complete attention to these matters” (vs. 15), God is always, through the Holy Spirit, developing us.  As we give complete attention to the matters God has for us, He is always faithful to lead us.

1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Another trustworthy saying to cling to "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 

NOTE: If you are interested in exploring spiritual gifts in more depth, I encourage you to read “A Primer on Spiritual Gifts” by Philip J. Noordsman, found on Amazon.