According to one source, the anti-aging business generates more than 62 billion dollars in revenue annually. Based upon our quick-check, that's more than at least 70 countries produce in GDP (all products and services) each year! Yet, many of us will admit that the anti-aging products and services we acquire don’t make us feel any younger. Many of us experience a kind of mourning for the loss of our youth and fall into depression.
One of the surprising things we learn about God is that he is big on anti-aging. He does that to our inner self now, and then later, promises to restore our bodies, too! Imagine our bodies as perfect, without disappointment. No aches, aging, or disease. If we think that impossible, remember Jesus’ resurrection and appearance in front of hundreds of his flabbergasted followers over 40 days, including one group of over 500 people. He promises that we, his followers, will be resurrected in a way that will amaze us!
Let’s look at some scripture, and then we’ll summarize.
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For that things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.
1 Corinthians 15: 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.
1 Corinthians 15:40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another kind.
1 Corinthians 15:42-45 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
To summarize what these verses mean, the moment we begin to follow Christ, we are new creations on the inside (think heart, mind, and soul). It’s encouraging to focus on that while we groan in pain to get out of our chairs. But even our bodies will change soon, too, for earthly life is stunningly short. As followers of Christ, we are promised a new, perfect body for all of eternity, one that is strong and vibrant without the threat of aging, disease, or suffering. We are also promised joy beyond measure, with no mourning, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4). We will be forever amazed at the glory of God when we are with him in heaven; no less impressed on day 734,561 then we were on day one! So, let’s use our eyes (through, alas, our cataracts and eyewear), to focus on the prize.
To read C.S. Lewis quotes, click here
To hear and read scripture on the subject of "love", "temptation", "strength", and more, click here.
To watch an amazing short video about the Bible from John Piper and Desiring God, click here.
Did you know? Over 20,000 people have visited our website in our first year. We are fully funded, but we would appreciate your prayers and the sharing of our website with as many people and organizations as you can.