Paul was also intellectually fit. He was a scholar of the first rank, and his exhortation to Timothy has become the goal of every sincere servant of God: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV). To the great apostle, the Christian faith was a body of teaching to be studied, diligently absorbed into the mind, and taught with faithfulness and accuracy. Paul’s entire ministry of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ serves as evidence for his concern for spiritual fitness.

The physical circumstances under which Paul wrote to the Philippians are worth mentioning because he was in a place that was nothing but harmful to his health. He wrote this letter from a Roman prison—a filthy dungeon with zero physical comforts. He was in a damp, dark, cold cell and was probably chained to the wall as well. But even though Paul was, many Bible scholars believe, a rather small, slightly built, middle-aged man with physical problems, he was far more fit for life than the physically fit Roman soldiers who guarded him. So he has much to say about being fit for life.

If we are going to be at our best, we need to get into the best physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual shape possible. The place to begin is with our relationships—with Jesus Christ first of all and then with family and friends and the fellowship of God’s church. Paul knew what matters most. So he began his letter to the Philippians by identifying both himself and his readers in terms of their relationship with Christ: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi” (1:1–2).

Your Relationship with Jesus Christ

Paul identifies himself as a “servant,” or slave, of Christ. The apostle was so totally sold out to Jesus that he could say, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). This is a critical point for all believers. Everything in life begins here. Jesus is our very life, and we are to serve Him because He has captured our hearts.

To become a child of God, you do have to become a saint. Most people have been conditioned to think that a saint is someone who has achieved a lofty spiritual status or has been canonized for doing good works or even performing miracles. But that’s not how the Bible uses this word. A saint is simply a true believer, a person who has been born into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Therefore saints aren’t made, they’re born from above in the new birth. That’s why we can say when it comes to your relationship with Christ, you’re either a saint or you ain’t. The word saint means “a set apart one,” a person who has been chosen by God and called for His purposes. This applies to every believer. So instead of being something mystical or super-spiritual, saint is a very basic description of our life in Christ. God has set us aside for an eternal purpose, which means we can live with passion.