Read: I Timothy 4

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in the world.” 1 John 4:17  

What we do for recreation speaks much about the quality and sincerity of our lives as Christians. It appears that recreation is extremely valuable as we view the obsession that many have with physical exercise. However, the apostle Paul wrote, “Bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things” (1 Tim. 4:8). We need to choose a recreation that contributes to our pursuit of eternal values. 

“As He is, so are we in this world.” These nine monosyllables at the end of today’s key verse make up a string of pearls that should show us the way in all our activity, recreational or otherwise. Healthy recreational activities are good and necessary, but they should complement our goal of imitating the Lord Jesus.  

John Wesley’s mother once wrote the following advice in a letter to him, “Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure, take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that is sin.” 

Christlikeness in recreation may involve a physical activity like taking a walk, as well as fellowship and godly social interaction with other saints. Taking an active part in kingdom expansion brings a joy that far outweighs the fleeting happiness of winning a game. 

Put all your energy into the Christian race, and invite others to do the same. In a supreme sense, no joy is equal to that of winning a soul for Christ. Nothing else is so refreshing and so inspiring in our anticipation of Heaven. 

~ James Baer