TRAINING
IN THE GYM OF THE SOUL

Topics: Accountability; Choices; Church Attendance; Community; Conversion; Self-reliance; Spiritual Disciplines; Spiritual Formation

References: Proverbs 22:6; 1 Corinthians 9:24–25; 1 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 10:24–25; 12:1

Sylvester Stallone surprised the entertainment world by resurrecting his iconic movie hero, Rocky Balboa, for one last film in 2006. Then, while promoting the film, Stallone shocked Christian fans by saying that his faith in Jesus Christ had influenced the writing of the first Rocky screenplay. His renewed affiliation with Christianity had motivated him to write the last one.

In an interview with Citizenlink.com, Stallone said, “I was raised in a Christian home. I went to Catholic schools, and I was taught the faith. I went as far as I could with it until I got out into the so-called real world and was presented with temptation. I kinda lost my way and made a lot of bad choices.”

Those bad choices, especially his decision to place fame and career ahead of his family, left Stallone unsatisfied. So he went back to church. “The more I go to church, the more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus and listening to his Word and having him guide my hand,” Stallone said.

Stallone also realized he had to trust Christ more than himself. “You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else,” he said. “You cannot train yourself. I feel the same way about Christianity and the church. The church is the gym of the soul.”

—Stuart Shepard, “The Gym of the Soul,” Citizenlink.com (November 15, 2006)