Live until you die

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sanctification”

Our Bible verse for today: “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Live until you die”

So, I have some “old man issues” going on. Nothing serious. They’re all minor. But I had two doctor’s appointments in the same day the other day, and I’m currently wearing a knee brace for the first time in my life. There’s other stuff too. Overall, I think I’m pretty healthy, but I’m about to turn seventy and the old body is showing some signs of wear and tear.

I often hear people complain about getting older, but I usually try to avoid doing that myself. I’m grateful to have lived long enough to get old. Many never get the chance. But if you do live long enough, you will get old and your body will wear out. As a matter of good stewardship, we should do our best to take good care of the body God has given us so that we can continue to use it for His kingdom-building purposes for as long as possible. But still, if you live long enough you will get old and your body will wear out.

However, on the flip side, as Paul described in 2 Corinthians 4:16, if you are doing this Christian life right then the older you get the stronger and healthier you will be spiritually. As your physical body withers and declines, your spirit gets bigger, better, stronger, healthier. As your outer person is wasting away, your inward person is being renewed day by day, getting ever-stronger.

Far too often Christians use physical decline as an excuse for withdrawing from ministry, and sometimes from church altogether. But that shouldn’t be. Physical changes in your mortal body may necessitate a change in the kinds of ministry activities you can participate in, but the progressive sanctification taking place in your spiritual person enables you to be even more effective for the cause of Christ in other ways.

Personally, I have great respect for older people who, while declining physically, still have a great attitude and they are still full of life. They are upbeat and positive, they are great encouragers of others, they are sources of wisdom and good counsel, and they are often fun to be with. Such people have decided to live until they die. They live fully, with passion and vigor. I want to be like that too.

As Jimmy Buffet once sang, “I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead.” I agree. I encourage all of us to live until we die. Really live.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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