When I was a young Christian we used to crack jokes about 1 Timothy 4:8, thinking it was justification for not staying in good physical shape. Here’s how it reads in the KJV (the version we read back then): “For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

So what WAS Paul saying? Mostly, he was making a comparison. While bodily exercise has its merits, they are useful for this life only. Godliness, on the other hand, has benefits for this life and the one to come.  In another passage Paul wrote “Everyone who competes in the [Olympic] 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 Cor. 9:25 NIV)

Competitive athletes adopt goals requiring courage, physical stamina, discipline, and commitment. In order to be successful, they have to learn how to manage pain and overcome injuries. They also need to submit to a coach who’ll push them beyond what they think is humanly possible. For runners, reaching the finish line will mean overcoming significant obstacles – some external and some within themselves.

My friends who run marathons (especially the full one, which is 26 miles long) say the race is brutally painful. At some point all the runners – even the experienced ones – ask themselves, “Why am I doing this? Is it really worth it?” After all, only one in the pack will receive the first place prize. Most will limp home … sore, dehydrated, and exhausted … their accomplishment known only to their closest friends and family.

Here’s where the comparison Paul was making becomes important. Unlike in the world, every disciple who undergoes training for Jesus is as important as everyone else and receives the same resources for finishing his race well – with joy. And at the end of the ages, when the Lord Jesus returns for His bride, every spiritual runner will receive a crown that will last forever.

“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

The training Jesus’ disciples undergo has greater significance than mere worldly acclaim, yet many of us don’t take it seriously. Training to become more like Him is way down on our list of priorities. In our current spiritual condition, we feel like becoming Christ-like is as likely as a confirmed couch potato scaling Mount Everest.

Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, gets right to the heart of the issue. “Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe God can make you one.” Considering how much Jesus suffered so we could be partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), not suiting up for the race is a tragic denial of what it means to be His disciple.

Jesus did not call us to be a better version of our old self. He wants us to become people who look and act like Him. We’re given the equipment we need to become godly when we’re born again, but the process will take time and effort.

The indwelling Holy Spirit will strengthen and help us. He’ll remind us of what Jesus said, and convict us when we are getting off track. He’s a tremendous “coach” in our spiritual training … encouraging, teaching, and empowering us every step of the way. But (like in sports) we won’t benefit from our spiritual coach if we don’t show up to practices, walk off when things get difficult, or we refuse to learn the plays (which for Christians means reading God’s Word with the intent to put it into practice). Paul wrote:

“Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds … put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Putting on and putting off are things we do. Over time, as we continue to trust and obey Christ, we WILL take on His character and our appetites will change. Sin, in all of its manifestations, will lose its appeal the longer we train for righteousness. We’ll be able to see the fruits of the Spirit at work in us by how we respond to frustrating circumstances and difficult people.

We’ll never reach spiritual perfection, of course, this side of heaven. But we “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Knowing we’ll never be finished in our quest to become godly keeps us humble, submissive, and dependent upon Him.

Like serious athletes, we’ve signed on for a lifetime of discipline and training. The marathon we’re running has eternal implications. Sometimes we’ll undergo tremendous pain and wonder if the goal is too high. We’ll grow weary with our slow progress, and maybe even consider dropping out of the race. But if we persevere, God promises to use us and change us in spectacular ways.

Throughout the process of training for godliness we’ll need to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Knowing the entire godhead is involved in transforming us, we can submit to our training with complete confidence, knowing God will complete the good work He began in us when we said yes to Jesus.

“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his master” (Luke 6:40).