About a week ago I hit the speed limit of 70. Scary! Old age creeps up fast. I feel good so maybe 70 is the new 40??? Not so in many cultures. But in America we do have good medical so we live longer. Those born here today have an expectancy of 79.8 years. Nice!
However, we live a relatively short time compared to the early generations mentioned in Genesis 5. Adam and Eve didn't even start a family until they were 130 and Noah began his when he was 500. Some in that time lived to their 900's.
But sin changed that and after the flood we see life spans shortened to close to what we have today. "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years," (Psa 90:10a). Some of us don't make it to 70 and some go a good ways past it. "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (Jas 4:14).
Christians are commanded to care for their bodies that they may be used wisely for the Kingdom. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." (I Cor 3:16-17). So in the new year let's take care of ourselves and recognize we are not your own. Our bodies were given to us by God's grace and we should treat them that way. I am working on staying fit, but it is not easy. Thanks to Nancy's healthy cooking I've made it to 70. But we all know our time is limited.
However, after Christ returns to reign on earth a long life span will reappear for those born then (Isa 65:20). It will be like it was before the flood. However, for the resurrected believers we will have a new body that will never die and not affected by sin. That is something to look forward to. But for now let us use our bodies and the time we have for the kingdom.
Let's start the new year by reading through the Bible with together. Email Jerry at cudneyjj@comcast.net and he will put you on the daily email list. For more details see the flyer at church. Also, we are planning a baptism on January 29th. If you are interested please let me know.
-Pastor Mark