THURSDAY July 2, 2020

Death Has Spread to All Men

Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law….)
Romans 5:12-13

Since the time of Adam’s sin, death has spread to all men (Genesis 3). Pastor Chuck Smith used to say, “It is not how you start the race, it is how you finish.” As each of us grow older, we never know what will happen to us physically. Over a period of time––months and years––our bodies can become weak and frail. A lot of people suffer in their older age towards the end of their Christian race. Some will finish strong like Caleb. As the children of Israel entered the Promised Land to subdue it, Caleb was eighty five years old and still very active. He said:

“And now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in” (Joshua 14:10-11).

Yet others like Isaac become frail and weak as they aged: Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see… (Genesis 27:1). People do not know how they are going to be until they reach their older years.

Old age can be discouraging, especially if a person is not remaining in fellowship. It is important to be plugged into the church, and not to allow anything to take you away from the things of the Lord. I have heard about people who really miss the mark when they come to the end of the race. They become distracted by the world. It is really sad.

Some people spend their entire retirement on material things and fail to put away anything for their future. Honestly, there will be times of great need in our lives. Christians need to prepare spiritually and financially for their older age. They will need the divine help of God’s Spirit and God’s Word to help them through to the end of the race.

“Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
~Isaiah 46:4~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!