If you are lazy in doing your regular exercise to keep a healthy mind and body, these Bible verses can inspire you.
- “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
Loving God with all of our everything including our bodies. There are no other parameters about how to love God with all your strength. That is something you will discover as you go. There is freedom to move in love!
- “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
The Bible not only focuses on our spiritual growth but also includes our bodies as integral to our self as loved and called by God. The aim is not to reach our own body goals, but to do all by grace, with eager anticipation of Jesus coming again. May all your movements be in view of the Lord coming at any time!
- “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
Disciplining our body like Paul is talking about here is an effort to keep our whole selves restrained from sin for the prize of knowing Christ and Him crucified. Read more in “Is Not Exercising a Sin?” May your exercise habits be meaningful and intentional.
- “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5
Paul enjoys using athletic imagery to connect with his Greek and Roman audiences, who could relate to this kind of training. We also can relate, and we know that the “rules” Jesus has given us are these: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Let us be trained by the standards of love.
- “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1
This verse refers to giving our whole selves to the Lord, including our bodies. If He says “go,” we must be ready, just as an athlete trains speed and agility to be ready to turn on a dime. May active worship keep you fit and ready for the Kingdom.