Tag: Godliness is Profitable

Godliness is Profitable Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 4:7-8 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

‘That which is to come.’ The life to come is eternal life which one receives as an unforfeitable possession at the end of his life of sowing to the Spirit (Matt. 7:13-14; Mark 10:29-30; Rom. 6:22-23; 8:12-13; Gal. 6:7-8). Eternal life is received now on condition. Twenty-three conditions of eternal life: Come to Christ (John 6:37, 44, 45, 65). Eat His flesh – drink His blood (John 6:50, 51, 53, 58). Labour (John 6:27). Reap – win souls (John 4:35-38). Hate (love less) the life in this world (John 12:25). Know God and Christ (John 17:2-3). Enter the right gate (Matt. 7:13-14). Cause no offence (Matt. 18:8-9). Keep commandments (Matt. 19:17). Forsake all (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30). Live free from sin (Rom. 5:21; 6:16-23; 8:1-13; Tit. 2:11-14). Continue in well-doing and seek eternal life (Rom. 2:7). Sow to the Spirit (Gal. 6:7-8). Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on it (1Tim. 6:12, 19). Be sober and hope to the end for it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13 with Rom. 8:24). Endure temptations (Jas. 1:12). Let the promise of it remain in you and continue in God and Christ (1Jn. 2:24-25; 5:11-20). Love everybody (1Jn. 3:14-15). Keep yourself in the love of God, looking for eternal life (Jude 1:20-24). Overcome sin (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 12:14-15). Believe and obey the gospel (John 3:15-19, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:40, 47, 54; 2Cor. 5:17; Rom. 1:5). Be born again, hear Christ, and follow Him (John 3:1-36; 10:27-29).

We get eternal life now and keep it forever if we meet the above conditions, but it does not become an unforfeitable eternal possession until we enter into it (Matt. 7:13; 18:8-9; 19:17; Rom. 6:22); receive it (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:13; Rev. 2:10); reap it (Gal. 6:7-8); and inherit it in the world to come (Matt. 19:27-29; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 18:28-30), and at the end of this life (Rom. 6:22). The life itself is eternal. Man’s possession of it does not change its nature or existence. It is eternal whether man ever gets it or not. It is still eternal whether man loses it or not. It is like an eternal diamond or anything else eternal. It always remains eternal and is only in Jesus Christ (John 6:27; 1Jn. 5:11-12).

Godliness is Profitable Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Timothy 4:7-8 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

‘Profane and old wives’ fables.’ This refers to any made-up stories, tales, motivations or lessons apart from the Biblical examples God gave as the only true examples and lessons for us to learn from. Most people come up with everyday life stories to use as encouragement, but the examples are not Godly inspired and mostly used with wrong scriptural references and can cause people to stumble and lose faith rather than get to know God.

‘Exercise’ [Greek: gumnazo] take exercise in godly things instead of physical, so you may win eternal life (4:7-8; 1Cor. 9:24-27). So many people spend hours and hours on their bodies and plenty of money, but their own salvation is dearly neglected. Exercise in moderation is necessary, but your body is not an object for pride or show (1Cor. 6:19-20).

‘Profitable’ [Greek: ophelimos] to convince men of truth. Translated as “profitable” (2Tim. 3:16; Tit. 3:8) and “profit” (4:8). The gospel of Christ is profitable to anyone who believes therein and lives according to it. For others, sadly, He is a stumbling stone (Rom. 9:33; 1Cor. 1:23; 1Pet. 2:7).

‘Unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.’ Threefold profit of godliness: Profits in all things (2Pet. 1:3). Profits in this life (Mark 10:30-31). Profits in the life to come (Rom. 6:1-23).

To be continued…