The Greatest Kind of Health

By Dan Franklin, Pastor of Teaching 

At the start of a new year, many of us resolve to get our bodies into shape. We buy exercise equipment online. We join gyms. We buy diet books. We start running. We form new habits.

We do all of this because we recognize that we cannot simply go with the flow. We cannot simply say “yes” to every impulse of our bodies. Because of this, we strive to become more diligent about what is entering into our bodies, and about what muscles need to be exercised. If we are not purposeful when it comes to our bodies, they will be ill-equipped for the kinds of long and healthy and active lives that we want to live.

In 1 Timothy 4:8, the Apostle Paul says, “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.” This verse is not downgrading our need to care for our bodies. But it is upgrading our need for something even more important. As we all take some time to evaluate our eating habits, our exercise routines, our financial status, and our educational goals, I want to encourage you not to miss the opportunity to form a more purposeful plan for how you are training yourself for godliness.


Just as you won’t gain or maintain physical health unless you are purposeful, you will not find yourself living a godly life, with victory over sin and closeness with God, unless you make purposeful decisions about your habits. If the only things that enter in are TV shows and popular novels, you will find yourself ill-equipped for the kind of spiritually vibrant life to which God has called you.

When it comes to training ourselves for godliness, it is difficult to think of anything more important than how we interact with God’s Word. God has spoken to us.

He has revealed Himself. He has given us good and gracious commands. Through His Word, He instructs us and rebukes us and corrects us and trains us (2 Timothy 3:16). His Word lights our path (Psalm 119:105). His Word revives us and brings us joy (Psalm 19:7-9). If we want to experience real life, then we want to know God (John 17:3). If we want to know God, then we want to know His Word.

If we really know and depend on God’s Word, then we will find ourselves equipped to deal with temptation. We will find ourselves more prepared to guide and teach our children. We will find ourselves more motivated to speak the truth in love, both to believers and to non-Christians. We will find ourselves more often overwhelmed with joy and worship to God because of His precious promises to us. In short, if we know and rely on God’s Word, we will be healthy in the greatest way that a person can be healthy.

At Life Bible Fellowship Church, we have a goal that each member would not only interact with God’s Word on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week. Because of this, we have LIFE Groups and Bible studies and Deeper events. We also have three Bible Reading Plans in order to encourage people to get into the Word on their own, while also discussing the Bible with others who are reading the same passages. There is no doubt that at LBF we have yet to discover all the best ways to help people approach God’s Word consistently. There may be some better methods. That said, we are going to pull out all the stops to discover those methods. We believe that this issue is that important.

As you begin the new year, don’t miss this opportunity to devote yourself (or re-devote yourself) to God’s Word. Form a plan, make a commitment, join a program, do whatever it takes. After all, as much as you will benefit from physical or social or financial health, these pale in comparison to the benefits you will receive through the spiritual health brought about by God’s Word.