God's Gym

Gold’s Gym was popular back in the 1970’s and 80’s in Southern California. It wasn’t uncommon to see Christian apparel companies alter popular logo’s and redesign them to have a spiritual connotation to them. One of my favorite was the “God’s Gym” using the same font and design as the famous “Gold’s Gym” logo. Are you aware that our bodies are God’s gym, as it’s in us where He does His most amazing transformation. Going to a gym might change our outward appearance but allowing the Lord to work out His plan and purpose in us will change our heart which is much more healthy.

As my wife and I were doing our own exercise routines this morning the Lord quickened to my mind the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2:12-13, “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.” When Paul exhorts the church to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” what he is saying is be humble and reverent as you go about your life as a follower of Jesus. It’s interesting that the gym where my wife and I work out requires as a condition of membership that every member must be humble and respectful of others while frequenting the gym.  

As I looked around the gym I noticed a variety of exercise equipment that allows for people to curtail a routine that works for them as no two people are alike. The same can be said of how each of us goes about our relationship with the Lord. Just like I can’t work out for you at the gym you can’t work out my salvation. The gym functions decently and in order because its members “work out with fear and trembling” and the church does it greatest work and looks beautiful doing it when its members live the same way. The best “work out” is from the inside out.

I LOVE YOU!