“Train yourself to be godly” (1 Tim. 4:7). This was the challenge Paul gave to Timothy. What did he mean? We could re-word it to sound something like, “put in the effort, make yourself sweat, lift with your legs (not your back), hustle makes muscle, etc.” We train in order to become better at something. No matter the reason, training is meant for improvement and improvement always takes time. Becoming more like Christ (a.k.a. growing in godliness) will take time. In fact, it will take our entire life. Adjust your training mindset if needed, improving in godliness takes time.
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their power of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14).

It is possible to train over a long period of time and not improve. Imagine you shoot a basketball for 5 minutes one time each month for 10 years. That’s a long time, but there wasn’t constant practice. By the time you pick up the ball each month, you are basically starting over. The author of Hebrews says mature Christians are those that practice godliness over and over again. Growth in godliness requires that we practice all the time, every day. Use your power of discernment to see opportunities for constant practice. You woke up late, what are you thinking as you drive to
work? Something sparks your anger, how are you going to resolve the situation? You feel too tired to read the Bible, what can you cut out of your schedule to make time? You find yourself wearing your Maranatha t-shirt at an intense basketball game, what will you say to the ref?
Keep improving in godliness this week. God promises a good result (Heb. 12:11).

Chad