Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…”

Are we programmed to die? Scientists who have been studying the aging process hold one of two positions.

One school of thought says that death takes place when too many of our body’s parts simply wear out from use. The other school says that death is programmed into our genes. As a result, they believe that there are built-in limits to how long we can live.

Molecular structure of SODWhat some scientists have called an “anti-aging gene” makes a chemical, abbreviated as SOD. SOD keeps the body from burning itself up. SOD is among a number of chemicals in the body that take the dangerous products of normal chemical reactions in the body and make them harmless. If not rendered harmless, these chemicals – called free radicals – can damage parts of our cells, including DNA. Through selective breeding, biologists have developed fruit flies that live twice as long as normal. Their studies show that these flies have a gene that makes higher amounts of SOD, and so, seem to have extra protection against aging.

There is only one permanent solution to death. Death is the result of sin. Jesus Christ, Who has taken away the reign of sin, promises eternal life to all who come to Him for the forgiveness of sins. He lived the sinless life that we cannot live. Then He went before God with our sins to take our punishment for those sins. Are you sure of the forgiveness of your sins through Jesus Christ? You can be!

Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that You gave up heaven and entered Your creation to make the forgiveness of my sins possible. I trust Your Word that You have earned my forgiveness. Help me now to glorify You with my life. Amen.

Notes:
Ronald Kotulak & Peter Gorner. 1992. “Fruit Flies Provide Hint on Aging.” Chicago Tribune, Feb. 9, pp. 21, 26. San Francisco Examiner. 1991. “Does a Gene Program us to Die?” Star Tribune, Nov. 30. Illustration: Molecular structure of SOD.

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