Good Old Age

Wrinkles

That he might present it to himself a glorious church,

not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;

but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:27

 It is not hard to see that you have grown older. Your skin is discoloured, not so soft anymore, and somewhat more wrinkled.  You have also become greyer or balder. When you compare yourself with how you look in pictures taken years ago, much has changed.  But that is not so bad because it makes no difference to your husband or wife, if you may still have them. You are familiar with each other and have grown old together.  Although you have become older, you have not become any less of a person.

          Actually, we can be beautiful in a different way; not with fair skin, not with strong muscles, but with a beauty for God!  Not beautiful with so-called good works, or with perfect hearts; but rather with broken hearts. That is what God receives satisfaction from. When we, through God’s grace, are robed with the obedience of Christ, we are precious people to Him.  We may be old and infirm, but when God has given a new heart and we are washed in Christ’s blood, we are beautiful to God. The Lord sees no sins in His bride. She has no spot or wrinkle before Him, but is His loving, elected congregation.

          Is that not more important than looking beautiful to people?  Your great-grandchildren might find it a bit frightening to give you a kiss, but if we may have experienced the love of Christ, we have infinitely more. We can, however, be young and strong, but ugly to God. We can also be very old, but beloved in heaven. That is why it is important to have a new heart, and in true faith to take refuge under the wings of Christ. Only in Him can we be without wrinkles. If we may know new life, we shall soon be presented to the Father as a bride without spot or wrinkle. God grant that we may look away from ourselves and admire the King. His beauty goes far above human beauty.