Aging Gloriously

So much attention is given to aging these days, one might think it is a dreaded disease that requires a cure, or that scientists can actually find a way to prescribe eternal life! In fact, a recent post proclaimed that biometric gerontologists are “hacking the code for immortality.”

The Bible speaks about aging differently, however. With the world population of individuals over 60 now numbering 962 million, it is worth a look at what the Bible actually says about aging.

Adam and Eve were Meant for Immortality

When God created Adam and Eve, He intended for them to live and walk with him forever. How do we know this? First, Genesis states that our Eternal God created man in His image. God is immortal.  He was uncreated, and always has existed, and always will exist. He created man in His image for fellowship and communion with Him.  Just as He created the heavenly host to be eternal beings in service to Him, God created man to be in eternal fellowship with Him and to worship Him forever. Genesis 1:25 explains that all creatures were made “after his kind,” which indicates that all living creatures have reproductive systems that “are programmed in terms of the biochemical genetic code, utilizing the basic elements of the earth.” (Morris, 2018). Similarly, man is unique in that he also has a genetic code of his own kind but also has “an eternal spirit capable of communion and fellowship with his Creator.” (Ibid.) Second, God placed the tree of life in the garden so that as long as Adam and Eve ate of it, they would live indefinitely, but God warned them that they would surely die if they ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We all know the devastating circumstances that followed. Once they had eaten of the fruit of the forbidden tree, Adam and Eve began to experience the process of decay and degredation leading to physical death (this is known as the Second Law of Thermodynamics today, or the law of increasing entropy) as well as the immediate death of their previous relationship with God. As a result, God in His mercy, banned them from the garden, “Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.” (Genesis 3:22) This passage affirms that man was meant to live forever.

Death is Certain for All

After the fall, death became a certainty for all creatures. As part of the curse for disobedience, God said to Adam, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” The curse determined that man and all creatures on earth would now die a physical death and return to dust. The Tree of Life most likely provided life and health not only to Adam and Eve but also to all living things in the garden, but now they would struggle for their food, the earth would bear thorns for them, and their sorrow would be multiplied in bearing children.

(Genesis 3:19) But God offered His mercy as well! He graciously provided that man should die rather than live a cursed existence forever, toiling and sweating, and no longer walking in close fellowship with God. Instead, God provided a way for man’s redemption and restoration through the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ death provides the way for believers to be restored to full fellowship and communion with Him as well as eternal life in the new Jerusalem, where the tree of life will again flourish and provide health and well-being for eternity. (Rev 22:2)

A better Life Awaits Believers

Our hope lies in the promise God made us of a heavenly dwelling with God where our spirits will be united with Him until the resurrection when believers will be transformed into Christ-like beings. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Cor. 5:1) The word, “tabernacles” in this verse refers to our earthly bodies, which are like tabernacles, or tents; that is, they are temporary dwellings for our spirits. But when we receive our resurrected bodies, they will not be made with human hands, but by the very hands of our Lord and Savior, Creator of all. Paul continued, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith and not by sight) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5: 6-8)

Aging Gloriously

So what does all this imply about aging? The Bible has much to say about the process of growing older. First, those who live a long life on earth are blessed. God has promised to spend even our fading years with us. Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” We may not live as long as the Biblical patriarchs lived, but we can be sure that God has a plan for every one of our days until the final day when we shall go to be with Him.

Second, aging can be a crown of glory. The Bible teaches that “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” And Prov 16:31 says, Prov 17:6 says, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Both of these verses indicate that as the righteous grow older, they have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their lives in both their children and their grandchildren as well as in a closer walk with our Lord. Many people dread their hair turning gray and wrinkles appearing all over, but it should be taken as a blessing. There are many who never get to experience the opportunity to live to old age. They may never see their children grow up and marry, or never experience the joy of grandchildren. Some never reach those “golden years” when the pace of their lives allows them to slow down and focus on what truly matters in life.

Third, aging is an opportunity to pass on our beliefs and our faith to the next generation and beyond. Ps 71:18 says, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” One of the blessings of retirement is the opportunity to offer time to other endeavors such as babysitting grandchildren, helping other family members and those in nursing homes, volunteering in schools and at church activities. Each one of these is an opportunity to share our faith and spread the gospel.

Finally, as we who are believers age, we are growing from glory into glory. 2Cor 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NASB). And later, Paul wrote in 2 Cor 4:16: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Even though our days are numbered, each one is valued and each one is an opportunity to continue growing in our faith and, as Paul said, being transformed from glory unto glory and being renewed day by day. Praise God for aging!

¹Morris, Henry, Ph.D., LL.D., Litt.D., 2018. The Henry Morris Study Bible. Master Books: Green Forest, AR. Commentary, p. 12.