Growing Old Cheerfully
by Dr. J.C. House
09/07/2023
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Beginning in 2030 all of the baby boomers will be older than 65 and older Americans will make up 21% of the population. By 2060 nearly one in four Americans will be 65 years and older, the number of Americans over 85 will triple, and the country will add a half million 100 years of age. Many of these older folks, Christians included, resent growing older and live a life of complaining. For the Christian, it ought not to be so.
WE CAN GROW OLD CHEERFULLY
2 Corinthians 4:16 - “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
The outward man is the flesh, and the inward man is the one dwelling therein. Growing old does bring limitations but note the little word, “YET” the inward man is renewed day by day. To be able to grow old cheerfully, you will have to distinguish between the outward and inward.
THE WAY IS EXPLAINED
2 Corinthians 4:17 - “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”.
Our afflictions are a positive factor in the building up of a stronger spirit.
THE CONDITIONS ARE SET FORTH
2 Corinthians 4:18 - “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Time to pay attention. Does the deterioration of the body, the outward man, always strengthen the inward man? Absolutely not. It can and it is God’s purpose that it would, but it may not do so. The same sun that melts the wax may harden the clay.
Many Christians grow more and more bitter as the years pass by and the infirmities increase. It all depends on a certain condition being met. Paul said, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:”. It is stated thusly in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” When weakness and disability overtake us, we become vividly conscious that we are mortal and turn more naturally to God and the inward man is renewed.
THERE IS STILL A WORK TO DO
Psalm 92:14 - “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;”.
No one gets too old to pray. As you get older you can pray as never before and when glory is revealed you may find out your greatest spiritual contribution was done in a secret place away from the notice of others.
Look up, age is for triumphs of the mind and one of them is to grow old cheerfully.
09/07/2023
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Beginning in 2030 all of the baby boomers will be older than 65 and older Americans will make up 21% of the population. By 2060 nearly one in four Americans will be 65 years and older, the number of Americans over 85 will triple, and the country will add a half million 100 years of age. Many of these older folks, Christians included, resent growing older and live a life of complaining. For the Christian, it ought not to be so.
WE CAN GROW OLD CHEERFULLY
2 Corinthians 4:16 - “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
The outward man is the flesh, and the inward man is the one dwelling therein. Growing old does bring limitations but note the little word, “YET” the inward man is renewed day by day. To be able to grow old cheerfully, you will have to distinguish between the outward and inward.
THE WAY IS EXPLAINED
2 Corinthians 4:17 - “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”.
Our afflictions are a positive factor in the building up of a stronger spirit.
THE CONDITIONS ARE SET FORTH
2 Corinthians 4:18 - “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Time to pay attention. Does the deterioration of the body, the outward man, always strengthen the inward man? Absolutely not. It can and it is God’s purpose that it would, but it may not do so. The same sun that melts the wax may harden the clay.
Many Christians grow more and more bitter as the years pass by and the infirmities increase. It all depends on a certain condition being met. Paul said, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:”. It is stated thusly in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” When weakness and disability overtake us, we become vividly conscious that we are mortal and turn more naturally to God and the inward man is renewed.
THERE IS STILL A WORK TO DO
Psalm 92:14 - “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;”.
No one gets too old to pray. As you get older you can pray as never before and when glory is revealed you may find out your greatest spiritual contribution was done in a secret place away from the notice of others.
Look up, age is for triumphs of the mind and one of them is to grow old cheerfully.
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