5 Reasons Getting Older Is Awesome!

Tomorrow is my 61st birthday

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I’m getting older, like it or not. But so are you and every other living being. It’s the way of the world. Life = ageing. The day after this post is published I’ll turn 61 (if I live that long)!

I don’t know who these folks are, but they look like they’re having fun getting older!

So far, ageing has been pretty good to me. Honestly, I’m enjoying life now as much or more than any other time in my life. With all the modern medical advances, there’s a fair chance I will not suffer much as I age. Getting older certainly isn’t as difficult as it used to be.

But still it is challenging and maybe you’re struggling with getting older. Perhaps you’ve faced:

• Health challenges

• The death of many loved ones

• Financial strains related to ageing and poor health

• Fear of death

All these are understandably challenging, and I’m not wanting to condemn. But let’s take a look at how getting older has positive benefits.

Here are 5 reasons why getting older is awesome for Christians:

01. Because wisdom usually increases with age.

“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” (Proverbs 20:29 NLT)

It’s great having the wisdom that comes from experience, both the bad and the good experiences. I love drawing on my experiences and others’ to determine what the best course might be.

It’s wonderful mentoring younger leaders with the wisdom gained over the years. I can help others avoid mistakes I’ve made.

Certainly I’m not saying that I know it all or that I don’t make mistakes anymore. But I do think I make less mistakes and know more than I used to, just because I’ve been around the block a few times.

Recently a friend who is almost the same age as me told how he shared financial advice with a mutual friend. His years of business experience were a great benefit that can help our friend avoid heartache. What a wonderful thing.

02. Because it often means more time to serve Jesus.

Every believer in Christ has a mission that can only be done on earth: making disciples. Mark Cahill wrote a book titled One Thing You Can’t do in Heaven. What is the one thing? It is evangelizing the lost, since there are no lost people in heaven.

Indeed, the Bible says “People die once, and after that they are judged.” (Hebrews 9:27 GW)

So his point is well taken. We have a lifelong purpose: witnessing for Christ.

My friend Josh McDowell said, “I want to take as many people to heaven with me as I can.” He wasn’t talking about a suicide bombing! He was talking about leading people to Jesus. I agree!

03. Because as I get older, it’s easier to focus on making an impact rather than making an impression.

All of us battle ego and pride, to some degree. I’m not sure we ever overcome it. But ageing helps me put pride into perspective.

Watching family and friends die has helped me realize that soon we’ll leave everything behind. All our earthly accolades and accumulation will mean nothing.

My wife Carolyn’s sister Gwen died from cancer at age 57. One of her memorable statements was that she was fascinated by how possessions, money and things completely lost their value as she faced impending death. Why? Because she was soon leaving them all behind.

A gift of ageing is that we can more easily practice this instruction; “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

04. Because getting older often means an opportunity to know Jesus in a more intimate way through suffering

OK, this is kinda weird, I admit it. But here’s the wonderful truth: when people approach suffering with the right mindset, it can be a big blessing.

Recently my friend Sandy has faced cancer and major surgery. But her testimony is “it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

My friend Gerlanda says the same thing.

So did Carolyn’s sister Gwen as she was dying from cancer.

Amazing!

What’s with all that—how does it work? Here’s what I understand:

• For a believer, facing death can bring an intimacy with Christ that comes through coming to grips with eternity. John testified, “And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1 John 2:17 NLT)

• The closer a Christian gets to heaven the better heaven looks. Suffering makes believers long for the end of suffering and the paradise God has promised us.Facing death can help us strip away all the fluff of life. When that happens we can see things as they really are and get priorities in order.

Now I’m not praying that I get cancer. I’m just saying that suffering can bring blessings—the biggest is knowing Jesus like we’ve never known Him before.

The Apostle James wrote, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NLT)

05. Because the alternative to getting older is death.

OK, this one is a joke. Not because it isn’t true, but because for a believer death is a friend, not an enemy.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV)

This is the subject of my next article, “How to Age Gracefully in the Light of Jesus’ Resurrection.”

For more biblical advice and insight into ageing, heaven and eternity, see my articles and podcasts:

• Hungry for Heaven

• How Moving is Like Going to Heaven

• Podcast: How can I age gracefully and productively to the glory of God?

• How to Prepare for Eternity Now and Face Death with Confidence Later

• Podcast: Why would God take away our free will in heaven for eternity?

• Who Will Get the Biggest Mansion in Heaven?

• Podcast: Isn’t Christianity arrogant to claim to be the only way to heaven?

• How Praising Unlocks Heaven on Earth

• What Can We Learn from a Cemetery Under a City Park?

• Six Reasons all Roads DON’T Lead to Heaven

Is Donald Trump A Christian?

Is Trump a Christian? He says he is, but do we believe him? To respond, we need to answer some other questions: What is a true Christian? Are there false Christians? What does it really mean to be a Christian? How can we tell a true Christian from a false Christian?

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The word Christian was first used in Antioch of Pisidia. (See Acts 11:26)

What does being a Christian mean? It means a Christ-follower.

Jesus described what it means to follow Him: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24b KJV)

What does it mean to take up a cross? The symbolism was vivid: People in Jesus’ day had seen many condemned prisoners carry their cross, as He did, to their place of crucifixion. Then they died on it. It means total surrender to the point of death.

A “cross to carry” doesn’t mean a bunion on your toe, a difficult boss or struggling with losing weight. It is a symbol of complete surrender.

It means submission to do ANYTHING for Christ.

So, is Donald Trump a Christian — a Christ follower?

My answer is this first: You and I are not the judge of anyone’s salvation except our own. God alone is the judge.

Am I hedging for The Donald? No, this is the approach I take with everyone—it is a matter between them and God.

One of the reasons I don’t judge is because Scripture is so clear that there will be big surpriseswhen we get to the judgment: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23 ESV)

Wow, that passage is sobering.

So the bottom line is that you and I should not pronounce judgment on anyone’s salvation. We are all responsible for only one person: our self.

I will only answer for me. You will only answer for you. Trump will only answer for Trump.

But does this mean we don’t need to be concerned about the salvation of others? No! God has called His followers to testify and give people the opportunity to make their own decision about following Jesus. “Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19)

If I could talk with Trump about his faith, I’d do what I have done for many others. I’d ask two questions:

Question 1: If you were to die today, do you know absolutely for sure that you would go to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus?

Common answer: “Wow, I’m not really sure.”

Question 2: If you died today and stood before the Lord and He asked, “Why should I allow you into heaven?” how would you respond?

Common answer: “Because I’ve been a good person.”

These common answers are quite sad because:

• God wants us to know we are saved! “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)

• Our “goodness” cannot save us no matter how good we might be. The Bible says “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5 Berean Study Bible)

We’re saved only by the free gift of God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

For help to receive salvation through faith in Christ please click HERE.

Finally, while it is unwise to make pronouncements about other’s salvation, we are called on in Scripture to discern people’s spiritual condition. We are not to pronounce spiritual judgment, but to discern if someone should be our leader.

In fact, Jesus told us to discern spiritual condition in the strongest of terms saying; “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” (Matthew 7:6 NLT)

Wow!

So how can we discern people’s spiritual condition? Jesus said “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.” (Matthew 7:16a NLT)

So while you and I cannot answer the question “Is Trump a Christian,” we should look at his “fruit” and be discerning about his potential for leadership.

For a troubling look at Trump’s “fruit” click HERE.

If you are a Christian who wants to grow spiritually, please sign up for my inspiring free email updates and receive my free eBook 10 Prayers to Unlock Heaven on Earth.

Can Salvation Be Received Without The Gospel? (Inclusivism)

"Christianity Questions and Answers" podcast CQA 032

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Inclusivism is the belief that some will be included in eternal salvation provided by Christ simply by virtue of their sincerity of belief and works, even though they do not follow Jesus. Inclusivism is in contrast with exclusivism and different from pluralism which were addressed in podcast interviews with Dr. Chris Gnanakan. Click these links to listen to these podcasts on Pluralism and Exclusivism.

Dr. Chris Gnanakan

Here is a comparison of the 3 viewpoints from “Theopedia” website:

Inclusivism posits that even though the work of Christ is the only means of salvation, it does not follow that explicit knowledge of Christ is necessary in order for one to be saved. In contrast to pluralism, inclusivism agrees with exclusivism in affirming the particularity of salvation in Jesus Christ. But unlike exclusivism, inclusivism holds that an implicit faith response to general revelation can be salvific. God expects from man a response proportional to the light given. Saving faith is not characterized so much by its cognitive content as it is by its reverent quality.”

I encourage you to read the article this quote is taken from—you might be surprised at some of those who have held to inclusivism.

Listen to this podcast on inclusivism by hitting the play button above.

To listen and subscribe to Christianity Questions and Answers in iTunes, click HERE.

Here are some biblical passages that deny inclusivism:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

“Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.’” (Luke 13:23-24 NIV)

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14 ESV)

In contrast to inclusivism, the following passages clearly teach exclusivism—the fact that conscious faith in Christ is the ONLY way to salvation:

Jesus said about Himself: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (John 3:17-19 ESV, emphasis mine)

Jesus also said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)

Other Scripture leaders and writers were equally clear in denying inclusivism:

The Apostle Peter: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name [Jesus Christ] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)

The Apostle John: “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12 ESV)

The Apostle Paul: “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV)

Each of these apostles believed so strongly in exclusivism that they gave their lives in the spreading of the Gospel of salvation only through Christ. So have many others over the 2,000 years since Christ gave His own life.

The Apostle Paul, expressed this missionary zeal compelled by exclusivism in this way: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”(Romans 10:13-15 ESV)

For those who want to believe in inclusivism here are some crucial questions to be considered:

How foolish were the Apostle Paul and all the other missionaries who left home, sacrificed, suffered, and were sometimes martyred or otherwise lost their lives to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard?Why proclaim the Gospel to the lost if they don’t really need it? In fact, aren’t they better off NOT hearing about Jesus since they are often quite satisfied with their own path and might reject Jesus?When passages like these above are so clear, isn’t it unwise to try to find Scriptural justification (excuses) to believe that people can be saved without knowing Jesus? What is your motivation for this—is it biblical study or seeking to “help God out” in a difficult teaching? Does God really need your help in this?

I wrote an entire article with other questions titled Five Questions for Those Who Think Many Roads Lead to Heaven.

Jesus gave this warning about trying to find another way: “You search the Scriptures, because you think you will find eternal life in them. The Scriptures tell about me, but you refuse to come to me for eternal life.” (John 5:39-40 CEV)

Here’s a short biography for my guest on this podcast:

Dr. Chris Gnanakan is originally from South India, and now lives with his family in Virginia. He is currently a professor at Liberty University’s School of Divinity, serving as a bridge between the mission field and the next generation of Christian leaders. Dr. Chris is also the Director of Outreach to Asia Nationals (OTAN), a mission organization that enables nationals to reach nationals in restricted-access countries with the Gospel.

You can learn more about Chris and contact him via his website: chrisgnanakan.com

The wonderful promise of the Bible is this: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)

To be sure you are ready to meet the Lord Jesus when you die, click HERE.

To learn more about this podcast and how to submit questions, click HERE.

Here are some of my other articles that consider issues related to inclusivism:

• Six Reasons all Roads DON’T Lead to Heaven

• Five Questions for Those Who Think Many Roads Lead to Heaven

• Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

• 4 Great Questions to Ignite Passion for Evangelism in a Lost World

• Who Needs Jesus, I’m a Good Person

• Facing Death Fearlessly

• Why Your Sincerity Can be Deadly

Here are some of my podcasts and a vlog that consider issues related to inclusivism:

• Podcast: Is salvation found in various faith traditions? (religious Pluralism)

• Podcast: Does salvation come only through faith in Christ?

• Podcast: Is Christianity willing to make peace with Islam?

• Podcast: Isn’t Christianity arrogant to claim to be the only way to heaven?

• Podcast: Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?

• vlog Self Realization Fellowship 📷

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