This is part of the series The Life That Honors God, from 1 Timothy. Check out more from the series!

Over the next few days, I want to share five different aspects of The Life That Honors God. This series, based out of 1 Timothy chapter 4 and chapter 5, is all about how to live a life that makes a difference to others, but most importantly, to God. Click on the link in the box above to see the introductory post, with links to all five aspects.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 says this:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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.

Christianity is not about trying to be Godly; it is about training to be godly.

John Ortberg, in his book The Life You’ve Always Wanted, talks about the difference between trying and training.

John says that if you go out and try to run a marathon you’ll never be able to do it. But if you train to run a marathon, then in time, with the right disciplines in your life, you could accomplish it.

I have seen this very example in the life of a family member. Marissa is the wife of my wife’s brother. A few years ago she ran in a marathon. Twenty-six miles. It was interesting to watch, from a distance, as she prepared. You don’t just get up and decide one day to run a marathon.

Marissa had to train. She started off running a mile or two, working her way up to twenty-six. And, over a period of months, she did. If that were me, I’d have to start off with a lap or two around the house. . . .

And then she was ready. She ran the marathon, and I don’t remember the exact placing she got, but it seems like it was somewhere in the middle of the pack. Not too bad. Much better than I would be able to do.

It takes discipline in your life to train your body for the marathon.

And the same is true in your relationship with God.

For you to grow in godliness and for you to grow in love for God and for other people, you must place disciplines and practices into your life that will train you in godliness.

For the life of the Christian, this is often one of the hardest instructions to keep. When the pressures of life build, and expectations increase, we often find that we prepare for others and we stop training ourselves, especially in whatever area of ministry we serve. Guard against this tendency.

This is a major struggle I face. Part of my area of serving God is teaching. And in order to teach the Bible, I spend a lot of time in the Bible. I have to continually remind myself that time spent in God’s Word for a lesson or a message is not an acceptable replacement for time spent with God and in his Word for my relationship with him.

Don’t try to become godly. Train yourself to be godly.

What do you do as you train yourself to be godly? You can share your thoughts in the comment section below.