Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
I wish I could take credit for the title of this article, but everyone knows I am not that clever. This is the title of a chapter in Dr. Paul Faulkner’s book Making Things Right When Things Go Wrong. The crux of the argument in this chapter is that, given the right perspective, we can live joyful lives regardless of our age and physical limitations. In it he cited an excerpt from an essay hanging in Douglas MacArthur’s office, part of which read, “Youth is not a time of life, it is a state of mind. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair.”
The only part of this quote I take exception with is being “…as young as your self-confidence.” Though I understand the point that we must have self-confidence to handle the tasks we are given in life, the true catalyst for maintaining youthful vigor mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is not self-confidence but Christ-confidence. Paul brings this truth out vividly in 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:7 where he contrasts the inevitable decline of our bodies with the reality of spiritual renewal. The core of this process is focusing on eternal, spiritual realities rather than temporal, physical realities. Consider a few key points in Paul’s discussion.
His first order of business was putting the weight and duration of life’s difficulties into proper perspective. Though it may seem too much for too long, the reality is that life’s struggles are a “light affliction” which lasts “but for a moment” (4:17) when compared to the eternal realities that await. Because of this contrast, the glory that follows a life of faithfulness far outweighs the struggles of life on earth. I would add that the difficulties of this earthly life pale in comparison to those that follow a life of unfaithfulness as well (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).
To reach his conclusion, Paul pushed his readers to look at realities which cannot be seen (4:18). This is difficult for our finite, earthbound minds to comprehend because everything we know experientially is physical, temporal reality. However, it is evident that these physical realities are not the whole story. There is more than meets the eye. Paul is clear that, though our physical bodies wear out and eventually die, this is not the end as those who die in Christ have a better bodily situation ahead than the youngest, healthiest human living on earth (5:1-4). These are the reasons Paul could say “…though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
The fact is, these bodies are already going through their gradual decline, and we cannot escape it. Consider this list one aging man put together called How to Know When You’re Getting Older. The unknown author said, “You can tell you’re growing older when: everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work. Your little black book contains only names ending in “M.D.” Your children begin to look middle-aged. You look forward to a dull evening. You sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going. Your knees buckle and your belt won’t. You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there. And the little grey-haired lady you help across the street is your wife.”
This light-hearted assessment of aging brings us face to face with the inescapable reality Paul addressed. As we experience the things named, its impact on our hearts, minds, and souls is determined by our perspective. We can train our minds on what we are losing physically and lament the inescapable decline, or we can train our minds on what we are gaining spiritually and rejoice in the promised ascent that lies ahead. So, let us live young even when we are old by looking through the eye of faith at the glorious imperishable bodies awaiting the faithful in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1-7; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3).