Working Out Your Faith

Ok, prepare yourself. I’m getting ready to be transparent again. Three years ago I had foot surgery. It was a major surgery where a torn tendon had to be repaired and my heel bone needed to be shifted over a couple of millimeters in order to get it properly aligned with my knee. I came away with tons of stitches, and a few pieces of hardware as parting gifts. I also sport a gnarly (yet very impressive) scar on that foot. As a result of the surgery, I was unable to walk on my right foot for several months. In the process, I lost a good amount of weight in that leg and my muscles atrophied. Once I was finally able to walk without a cast or brace, I was a little self-conscious about my legs being two different sizes so I stayed away from shorts or short skirts when I was out in public. However, once I was walking again, the mass returned fairly quickly and I’m proud to say that my legs appear identical now!

Appear. You see, my right leg is not the same as my left. You’d really have to examine it closely to see that the shape and size is slightly different from my left. I did a little research regarding the rebuilding of muscles after a period of atrophy and this is what I learned: While the mass returns fairly quickly, the muscle function does not. It has to be worked on but the former strength and endurance can be regained. For me, I have the additional factor that my foot does not function exactly the way it did before surgery now that it is aligned differently so that affects how my leg has recovered. My muscles have not recovered to be quite the same yet. My right leg can be just as strong as before and just as strong as my left leg, but right now there is a difference. And in my case, it’s visible.

Did you know that the same principle applies with our spiritual muscles?

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12&13

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:8-10

We need to work out our spiritual muscles. How? Glad you asked. In Ephesians 6 we see ways in which we can be strong in the Lord: hold to truth, righteousness, faith, peace, salvation and prayer in the spirit. Some ways we might see this in action include:

Boldly operating in our spiritual gifts: Do you have the gift to heal in Jesus’ name? The gift of prophecy? How about discernment? Use these gifts boldly and frequently. Remember that the spirit of fear does not come from God. God has given you a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.

Working for, and unto, the Lord. Do what is right and good. Do what you are called to do by faith. In this way, you exercise your spiritual muscles.

Rejecting sin. We will not be perfect while we walk here on earth. However, we flex our spiritual muscles as we resist the devil. As we resist our fleshly and un-godly desires we become spiritually stronger.

Don’t let your spiritual muscles atrophy. Workout daily. Stay strong. But if you do have a period of inactivity (times of grief and loss can sometimes hinder us), you can still come back strong. As a matter of fact, you can come back bigger and stronger and deeper in faith! Don’t give up. Keep working.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10