God’s Gym

In English, the term “gym” is used for the fitness studio – a place of training, exertion, and perseverance. Without stern discipline, the willingness to sweat, and the goal in mind – fitness of the body – there is no success there. In German, we use the term “Gymnasium,” which refers to a High School – a place characterized by diligence, energy, perseverance, and a willingness to learn.

Both terms come from the Greek word γυμνάζω (gumnazó), which the Holy Spirit interestingly uses three times when talking about the practical life of believers. The message is clear: progress in the spiritual life is impossible without energy, willingness to learn, diligence, perseverance, and discipline. A “Lukewarm-Christian” can never grow in faith. Regular, recurring times in fellowship with the Lord—with everything that goes with it—are indispensable. What can we learn about “God’s gumnazó”?

• 1 Tim 4.7: “Exercise yourself toward godliness“. Godliness means the attitude to life of taking the Lord into every area of life. So, not just on Sundays, not just during (short) devotions after meals, but 24/7. Living in constant fellowship with the Lord, combined with a corresponding mindset and a practical trust in faith, does not come automatically. This requires diligent, sometimes hard training.
• Heb 5:14: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Wanting to live in a way that is pleasing God and to grow in it, it is important to know God’s standard and, therefore, His will precisely. Here, we find the idea of regular training before us (“as a result of habituation”) – constant training is necessary for progress in the spiritual life.
• Heb 12:11: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” The point of this passage is that there is a reward, a sense of accomplishment, for those who have persevered in difficulties. Without a view of what you are training for or why you are exerting yourself, no one would go to the gym. Training requires a constant focus on the goal.

These three points are crucial for us as Christians to make progress in our spiritual lives: hard, diligent training, consistent, regular training, and keeping the training goal in mind. The Lord wants to help us with this. Ultimately, only He can give us growth if we make ourselves available to Him!