Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." Paul knew well that as our bodies age, they begin to wither and decay. Our skin wrinkles, bones soften, normal body functions are no longer normal, sight diminishes, and aches and pains increase. These are all natural signs of a temporary body. They testify of the limited existence of the outward man. Imagine if this were all there was to man. There would be no purpose or hope. But God's Word rings loud and clear that man is much more than physical matter. Man has a spiritual entity which will live forever -- a soul (Matthew 10:28, 25:46).

In our text (2 Corinthians 4:16), Paul not only discusses the "outward man," but also the "inward man." He informs us that unlike the outward man, which will decay and perish, the inward man is renewed daily. He is speaking to an actual event in the lives of God's faithful children. When we grow and mature in the faith (2 Peter 1:5-11; 3:18) and continue to overcome sin in our lives -- purging it out (Hebrews 12:1; Romans 8:3-8; 1 Timothy 5:22b) -- our inner self is renewed day by day. The inner man does not decay and corrupt because we are no longer servants of sin (Romans 6). As we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ continually cleanses us of our sin (1 John 1:7). As we walk in the Spirit, we will overcome sin and anything keeping us from Christ's love and heaven above (Romans 8).

What the apostle says about the inward man being renewed daily was certainly true about him, but is it true for me? All of us need to ask ourselves this penetrating question. Are we living a life whereby our inward man is renewed day by day? Or, is our inward man decaying and perishing like our outward man? Is it starving for spiritual food and dedication for the cause of Christ?

Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad that our inward man can be "strengthened in might" (Ephesians 3:16); that it can be vibrant and thoroughly cleansed. It can be true for you and me!