Many people see value in physical exercise.   Exercise, a healthy diet, and a good night’s sleep are necessary to maintain healthy bodies.

The body of Christ also benefits from exercise.

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.  (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT)

Romans 1:8-14 reminds Christians of seven things they should be doing for the church, the body of Christ.

• Thank God for other believers.

Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. (Romans 1:8 NLT)

•  Pray constantly for each other.

 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, … . (Romans 1:9 NLT)

•  Fellowship with other believers.

 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. (Romans 1:10 NLT)

•  Equip others to do God’s work.

 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. (Romans 1:11 NLT)

• Encourage each other.

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. (Romans 1:12 NLT)

•  Look for spiritual fruit in others. (Look for good in others.)

^… I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit… (Romans 1:13 NLT)

•  Remember what God has done for you and commit to serve Him by serving others.

For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. (Romans 1:14 NLT)

 

Seven Body Building Exercises

• Thank God for other believers.
• Pray constantly for each other.
• Fellowship (practice community) with other believers.
• Equip others to do God’s work.
• Encourage each other.
• Look for spiritual fruit in others. (Look for good in others.)
• Remember what God has done for you and commit to serve Him by serving others.

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8 NLT)

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