Decaying Bodies and Hopeless America

Americans, along with so many in other affluent cultures, have lost all hope.  Heaven is not really a reality because it's not really needed.  And because it's not really needed, it's not thought of all that much.  Again, we have lost all hope.

When this futility stricken world drags us into sobriety, we have the ability to purchase all that we need to take us back to what we think is heavenly.  We would never call it that; but it's what we do.  We simply cannot wait patiently for heaven, and so we use endless resources to drag it closer.  I propose that this is the very reason we are in so much debt.

The attempt to purchase a world without futility will bankrupt any treasury.  Only a divine ransom will do.

Evidences of this are seen in the health and cosmetic industry.  According to the ASAPS, $10.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in 2010.  Over ninety percent of those procedures were performed on women.  I want to be careful here.  While I cannot go into the biblical ethics of each person's procedure, I think it would be irresponsible, even unloving, to remain voiceless.

God subjected the creation to futility (Romans 8:20).  Consequently, our bodies are decaying and dying.  This is divinely ordained and the result of sin.  While this sounds grim, the end of the verse is utterly stunning.  He [God] subjected creation to futility "in hope"; a hope which will one day include the "redemption of our bodies."  This verse, along with passages like 1 Corinthians 15:35-57, is meant to bring hope to those who are eagerly awaiting their final adoption as sons [and daughters] of God (Rom 8:23).

Ironically, however, we are not a waiting people.  We like glorification now and are left spinning our wheels in our efforts to reverse the futility.  But there is a major problem with this.  If there is no futility, there is no hope.  Again, this is where we find ourselves today.

Am I saying that all cosmetic surgeries are wrong?  No.  But I will say that attempts to reverse the futility are morally wrong.  Why?  Because no matter how hard we try to glorify our bodies, we will always continue to decay.  And this is devastating for those with no hope.  Decaying bodies are meant to make us dependent upon Christ.  Simply put, aging is redemptive.

Even in aging, we must apply the gospel - that there will soon be a day when that which is perishable will be raised imperishable; and that which is sown in dishonor, will be raised in glory...we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  

Yes, Christ changes everything.  With eternity in view, our time in our perishable body is but a vapor.  Soon enough Christian, soon enough.  As you see the wrinkles and as you feel the ache in your joints, long for heaven, hate sin, and eagerly wait for the redemption of your body.