How to Live Longer

This mini-series began with two questions. Does God know when I will die? Can I make a difference in the length of my life?

The answer to both questions is yes. God knows how many days of life we have. He knows when we will die. He can, and does, add days to our allotment based on our choices. 

There are at least two ways described in Scripture that add length to our lives. 

In Deuteronomy 4 and Deuteronomy 30, God set a choice before His people. Obedience and life. Disobedience and death. (also see Proverbs 3:1-2, 9:10-11)

 "by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him, for this is your life and the length of your days..." 

                                            Deuteronomy 30:20 nasb

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

For length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you."

                                 Proverbs 3:1-2 nasb

"The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be shortened."

                             Proverbs 10:27 nasb

God's word is very clear. He honors righteousness with an increase in days. 

Just to be sure we understand, this does not mean God will give us a longer life if we go to church every Sunday, or do good deeds, or abstain from certain sins. Those actions may be a part of fearing/respecting/honoring God, but our actions must flow from our love for Him. 

His word is equally clear. The years of the wicked will be shortened. We can sin as much as we want to sin, but those choices come with a price. We can cause tremendous destruction with our choices, but God sees and will eventually bring our sinful choices to an end. 

Defiant sin can shorten our lifespan.

The second method for adding length to our lives is a subset of the first and comes from the Ten Commandments.

Honor your father and mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land 

which the Lord you God gives you.

                                     Exodus 20:12 nasb

This verse can be taken one of two ways. First, honoring your parents will result in living in the Promised Land for a longer period of time. (Same lifespan. More of it in the Promised Land) Second, honoring your parents will result in prolonged life when you are living in the Promised Land. (Longer life, no matter where you are.) Ephesians 6:3 seems to point toward the second interpretation. 

Honoring your parents will results in a longer lifespan.

The key to a long life is simple, and easier than you might think. 

If you want a longer life, do what God says. 

Love God. Love others. Demonstrate that love in the way we live.

We'll have one more post on this topic before we move on. Tomorrow's topic: Is longer life worth the cost of obedience? 

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In case you missed one of this week's posts, here are the links: Walking with God or Hiding with the World,  The Same Jesus, The God Who Never Fails, Halfway to Canaan, The Blessing Jar, The Potential for Heritage, Does God Know When I Will Die? Part 1 and Does God Know When I Will Die? Part 2

#lifeanddeath #longlife #whenwillIdie #doesGodknow #disciple #Christian #choice

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