Pumping Iron

Relevant Bible Verses

1) 1 Cor 14:26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

2) Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up......

3) Eph 4:12-13 To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Pumping Iron is considered to be the all-time classic bodybuilding movie. The film focuses on Arnold Schwarzenegger and his competitors, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu. I always thought that in bodybuilding, the ultimate motive for these people would be to build their body muscles to be as large as possible - the bigger, the better. On the contrary, this movie documented what is commonly referred to as "The Golden Age" of bodybuilding, a time when mass and size mattered less, but symmetry and definition of the body was preferred. I can imagine the extreme intensity of the training, passion, zealousness and the determination these body builders have to endure as part and parcel of bodybuilding discipline. At the end of all these "sufferings", they become the model for the young ones to emulate. As we all know, Arnold becomes the 38th elected Governor of California, Lou is the main actor in the popular "The Hulk" movie, while Franco holds doctorates in chiropractic and nutrition and currently sits on the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Likewise, in the body of Christ, we are charged to build one another up. When we come together, let us bring a plate of "food" that will nourish - a psalm, a song, a teaching, a revelation, etc. We must consider others when we meet. Words that we say should be aimed to encourage. It is not how much we say, but whether or not what we say builds up others. If you think your silence will benefit others, then remain silent. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouth, but only that which is good for building up...." (Eph 4:2)

It should be a spontaneous thing for us to function in mutuality as members of the body of Christ when we meet. Our goal as children of God is to strive to reach in faith and to attain the full knowledge and whole measure of Christ with full maturity!

Build up the Body of Christ!