Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

Fat or Fit?

I have been a fat Christian and a fit Christian. At both times, I loved God and cared for others. I don’t think someone is a glutton “just cuz” they’re overweight (there’s more to that). But as someone whose spirit was willing, but flesh was often weak, I have found myself failing to do things I want/ought to do because of sluggishness and fatigue.

Being overweight was always just something that I was. I could crash diet once in a while as a young man and drop some fat, but age and other responsibilities started to make that harder. I knew God loves me even though I was fat, and I don’t think being fat is innately sinful (although how you got there was likely rooted in taking comfort in something other than Christ).

But for a guy like me, and many others, I think we have a desire to be servants of God. And, frankly, many Christians would be able to minister to others better than they do if they simply ate healthy, exercised, and lost weight.

In 2021, I preached at a men’s conference called The Builder’s Summit. Providentially, God caused me to consider the concept of Christian self-control which turned out to me more prevalent and, in fact, essential to the Christian life than I had realized.

After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

Acts 24:24–25 (ESV)

My conviction from studying the Word of God concerning self-control has helped me, by the power of grace, to make changes in my life which are allowing my outward body to appear more of a man who has self-control. I am still a work in progress!

As I’m on my way to the fit end of the “fat or fit” spectrum, I can tell you I have more energy to serve my bride and play with my kids. I’m more able to stay on my feet to preach or minister longer. I am no longer so tired and sluggish at the end of the day, or after eating (since I no longer eat junk).

Here are some of the verses brought up in the sermon below: Galatians 5:22-23; Romans 1:26; 1 Thess 4:3-4; 1 Cor 9:24-27; Proverbs 25:28; 1 Timothy 2:9,15;3:3,8; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:2-6

Photo by Caleb Gregory on Unsplash

Click to listen to the sermon about self-control.

You can also import the sermon (and a few others) into your favorite podcast app here. The sermons on Self-Control and Steadfastness are the ones that went together at the Builder’s Summit.

Apple Podcasts | Overcast (my favorite) | PocketCast

If your app isn’t listed or the link does not work you can copy and paste the text below into your podcast app’s “ADD URL” section

https://thingsabove.us/feeds/mcassortedsermons.xml

Take Away the Stumbling Block

One of my goals is to take away the obstacle to others to take me seriously. That is, for years I made it easy for others to see me as someone who “must lack self-control,” an essential component of the Christian. I would preach on the street, and people would shout “glutton” or other things I cannot even repeat. While my obesity won’t be an excuse for any sinner on judgement day, I would like to remove this stumbling block.

You can do this too. Some of you NEED to. Do it for yourself, the Lord, and your loved ones.