You Still Have Life

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Age happens to everyone, but you don't have to spiritually die because you are older. The fact that you are still breathing means God is not done with you. Sadly, many aged believers are living in spiritual nursing homes waiting to die because they have used their age as an excuse not to serve God. These people are wasting years of their lives because they allow age to be an excuse not to serve God.

Just because you are old is no excuse not to serve God. Abram was ninety-nine years old, and God still had things for him to do. Some would like to say that people lived longer back in those days, but ninety-nine years of age is still ninety-nine years. What I love about Abraham when he died is that God said he was full of years. In other words, he filled his years serving God, and he did not have to look back in regret wishing he had done more. Let me share several things about Abram and age that will help every seasoned saint.

First, you are not dead, so don't act like it. Age does not make you dead; it makes you a wiser person to use the age you have to accomplish more than you did when you were younger, and full of energy, but did not have the wisdom you presently have. Don't let age rob you of years to serve God. If God has kept you alive, you can still serve Him.

Second, age is not an excuse to sin. God told Abram at ninety-nine years of age to walk before me. Just because he was old did not give him a right to do wrong. Throughout my life, I have seen many aged people think they can do wrong because they are older. Age gives no person the right to sin or compromise. Right and wrong are right and wrong no matter your age. The easiest way to ruin a testimony is to start doing wrong when you are older because you feel your age gives you a right to do it. If it was right to be faithful to church when you were younger, it is still right to be faithful to church when you are older. If it was right to serve God when you were younger, it is still right to serve God when age has taken over your life. There is no age that gives someone permission to do wrong. When you are older, do right just like you did when you were younger.

Third, age does not mean that you don't need to grow. Abram was ninety-nine years of age when God told him to be thou perfect. God was telling him to continue growing into the image that God wanted him to be. You will always have room to grow no matter your age. Just because you are older does not mean that you don't need to grow as a believer. There is no age when someone becomes sinless and knows everything; therefore, you must continue to grow in the Lord until God takes you to Heaven.

Fourth, make the aged years of your life the most productive years. Arguably, Abram’s most productive years came when he was older. Likewise, Noah and Moses saw their most productive years for God when they were older. My friend, you can let age rob you of productivity, or you can make your years count for God even if you are older. Some of the most productive years of many older preachers and saints of God came when they were older. Serve God until the day you die, and let your life be full of years, and your testimony for God will continue to be a blessing to future generations for many years.