Over the past two months, I have seen an amazing transformation take place. I have lost 28 pounds and begun a regimen of exercising five days a week. This may not be earth-shattering news to many who read this column, but consider the following facts about your SCBC president before you stop reading.
AtkinsUp until I made a conscious decision to take better care of myself, I had not done a “work out” in almost two years, and in that time I had packed on more than 35 unwanted pounds. Now I know some of you will read this and say, “But, Brad, don’t you know that the Word of God records the apostle Paul stating that ‘For bodily exercise?profiteth?little: but godliness is profitable unto all things’ in 1 Timothy 4:8?” Well, of course I do; there were times in my life that the first part of that verse could have been my life’s verse. Just understand that the main focus Paul is setting forth is not on the first part about physical exercise; the main focus is really on the second part about godliness.
Since some of you are already thinking about what Paul had to say, let’s look at another of his writings for clarity on where I am going with this. When Paul wrote to the early church in Philippi, he said to them, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;?for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for?His?good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Did you catch it? We are called to “work out” not only for the benefit of our physical body for health and wellness, but we are exhorted to “work out” our spiritual body as well for His good pleasure.
I will have to be honest with you, friends, over the past few months I have taken great pleasure at times when people have come up to me and commented on the weight loss, the exercise regimen I have been doing, and even in finishing my first 5K without stopping. These men and women have been sources of great encouragement and also great motivation, as I am still working toward my ultimate goal in this process. For too many Christians, we have fallen asleep at the wheel when it comes not only to our physical “work out” for the health and wellness of our body, but more importantly our spiritual “work out” with God for our spiritual body.
As we strive for Great Commission Living in 2012, we need to sense the urgency that God has called each of us to “work out” our salvation and not become lazy and lethargical with His calling in our life for His good pleasure. Most Christians could probably quote Philippians 4:13 from memory. Some may or may not be able to quote Philippians 2:13, but we all must remember that in this verse is held one of the things we can do through Christ, who gives us strength when we strive to “work out” daily for His glory.
– Atkins is pastor of Powdersville First Baptist Church and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.