“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1-2 NKJV)

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for-both wealth and honor-so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” (1 Kings 3:9-14 NIV)

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise:that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3 NKJV)

As I continue to  share my heart, be reminded that…

…I have been called…

…to help the children of God realize that it is our Father’s desire that as His children we live strong long lives worth living, without limit or end, with nothing missing or broken; therefore He designed us to live lives filled with purity, passion, power, and purpose; as in partnership with Him we expand the manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth (here and now); regardless of our current age or condition.

I finished yesterday with the following bold statements…

…Living from the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth (here and now) I do not have to age as the world ages; and…

…I do not have to die.

In order to fully understand these statements I need to answer a few questions. I must ask and answer…

…What was the original desire and design for aging as it was created prior to sin entering creation?

…What will aging look like after sin is removed from creation?

…Are there any examples of people not participating in the current “normal” aging process while sin exists in creation?

…What is the original desire and design for death as it was explained prior to sin entering creation?

…What will death look like after sin is removed from creation?

…Are there any examples of people not participating in the current “normal” process of death while sin exists in creation? 

…Do aging and death exist in the Kingdom of Heaven (God’s dwelling place – Heaven / Paradise)?

…As a disciple of Christ living in the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth (here and now) should I direct my hope, exercise my faith, and build my expectations for my life today pertaining to aging and death based on what is common experience in the world around me or the common experience in the Kingdom of Heaven? 

These statements and questions are quite a bit to consider. I am sensing that I should put on the brakes and give you a chance to catch your breath before I attempt to answer these questions.. I have been deep into this for seven years. During that time I have learned that if my primary dependence is on my intellect and rational thinking I will never get where my Daddy (my heavenly Abba Father – Papa) is taking me. These answers need to be revealed by the Holy Spirit and confirmed with the Word.

So how do we answer these questions? The same way that we eat an elephant. One bite at a time. That is why we are taking our time to prayerfully consider…

…Eric’s Life Lesson # 371: Late Life Assignment: Part 7 – The Promise: Strong, Long Lives: Part 3