Move Around or Depart Earlier!

It is never too late to improve your health and perhaps extend your life. That is the finding of a new study released by the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study involved 1,861 Jerusalem residents who were 70 years old in 1990 and whose health and activity levels were monitored through 2008.

Israeli researchers found that the three-year survival rate was tripled for active 85-year-olds compared with those who seldom move around. The study considered getting less than four hours of exercise weekly as inactive. Also, more active ‘octogenarians’ reported less depression and loneliness, along with a greater ability to perform daily tasks.

For Christians, taking proper care of their physical bodies should be on life’s priority list. There are the obvious physical reasons as just stated. But for believers there is also a secondary and higher level of motivation. They are considered as temples. As such they literally house the Holy Spirit of the Living God according to 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

The body of the Christian is sacred and is far more than a miraculous collection of bones, tissue, and blood! With their physical bodies in tune, and at peak performance, they are better able to share the life-giving message of the Gospel to those who are spiritually ill and literally dead in trespasses and sin. (Ephesians 2:5-6)

In 1 Timothy Paul writes to Timothy in his first two letters to the young pastor. In Chapter 4 he says, “But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. “ (1Timothy 4:7-8)

Paul does not exclude or ignore here the proper care of the human body. He simply puts it into a balanced perspective. He stresses both the short and long-term importance of proper spiritual conditioning. In addition, he mentions how one’s spiritual status can, at times, have a serious impact on one’s physical state. (1 Corinthians 11:28) Then too, Proverbs 3:7-8 seems to verify this same basic concept but in more positive terms. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.” How much more straightforward could he have made it here?

In modern-day America, medical advances have kept millions alive for far longer than the previous generation. That, coupled with proper personal care of the body, can extend length of days and the opportunity to enjoy them more. But the real and lasting value of any extra days on earth is not about just enjoying life. It is far more about the pursuit of godly character and faithful service to the Savior. And again, that most profound biblical matter is shared best through the pen of the apostle in his personal letter to his pastor-son in the faith:

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. “ (1 Timothy 4:8)

Bill Breckenridge