Christian Martial Arts Fitness Part 1

Martial Arts Fitness is known around the world as one of the best fitness systems for men and women, boys and girls. Martial arts systems include many rules for training and defending.

The Apostle Paul was familiar with the rules of martial and athletic training and wrote this almost 2,000 years ago –

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:4-5

Christian Martial Arts Fitness is specific to the truth of Christianity and the excellence of martial arts training. With both in mind we offer this special series for your consideration.

Rule 1: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30

Rule 2: “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

How do spiritual rules fit into physical goals – like fitness?

Our fitness efforts are in five basic areas:

1. Fitness of heart  —> Love for God
2. Fitness of soul  —> Love for God
3. Fitness of strength  —> Love for God
4. Fitness of mind  —> Love for God
5. Fitness of love for others  —> Love for neighbor

God created our body, mind and soul in His image. He told Adam to be fruitful, increase in number, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over fish, birds and land creatures.

God formed the human body from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life.

We have God’s image and His breath in our bodies. Our purpose is to be fruitful, increase, fill, subdue and rule.

Humans are separated from God because of sin. They experience loneliness and fear, pain and death, because of sin. Jealousy, anger and bitterness led to the first crime of murder. (Genesis 4:6-8)

Sin is the cause of pain, illness, suffering and death. Disobedience to God’s wisdom leads to poor health, dulled minds, weak bodies and troubled souls. It also leads to selfishness. Sin does not lead us to love God and others. It is God’s special work in our lives that guides us to follow Rule #1 and Rule #2.

God does not want sin to reign in our mortal bodies. He wants us to offer the parts of our body as instruments of righteousness. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) God wants us to present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

Next Time

In the next part of our special study about Christian Martial Arts Fitness we will look at one of the most important battlegrounds in life.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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