World’s oldest man says Christ lives in me

July 5, 2021

By Editorial Team

Emilio Flores Márquez from Puerto Rico, 112 years (Source: Gunness world records)

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" Paul in Gal 2:20

Last week the newspapers were abuzz with the news of the world’s oldest man Emilio Flores Marquez at 112 years and 326 days. In itself it’s unremarkable and is part of an yearly records gig at Guinness book of World records. World’s tallest man, heaviest man, fastest woman, oldest mom, youngest chess Grandmaster, Worlds tallest tower, tiniest wrist watch all these comprise the tome as we all know. In our home it was an annual affair for my dad to buy Guinness book of world records and Malayalam Manorama yearbook. That’s how I won many Quizzes at School and University levels.

However, what caught my eye, was the interview with him. People usually give the lines like, I eat fish, I walk 3 miles everyday, I drink 2L of water and such. But look at what this man said.

"My father raised me with love, loving everyone. He always told me and my siblings to do good, to share everything with others. Besides, Christ lives in me"

Here are a few facts about Emilio Flores Marquez. “Born on August 8, 1908, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Márquez is the second-oldest of 11 children born to his parents. From a very young age, Emilio helped his father on their sugarcane farm. He was often responsible for watering and loading the sugarcane on to wagons for transport. As the first-born son in his family, he was also in charge of carrying out household chores and helping to care for his nine surviving siblings.

Emilio was married for 75 years to the love of his life, Andrea Perez, who passed away in 2010. They had a family of four children, of which two are still alive and well. He now has five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. What an amazing life, and a testimony that his faith is still intact at ~113 years and more. (Source: Guinness World Records).

Here are a few things that we need to do if Christ lives in us.

But we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Paul was talking about true Christian behaviour compared to the gentile customs, and wrote these words. Today I urge you to think like Christ in at least one matter. Speak the will of God and believe the will of God, in that area of your life. Confess his promises and just trust him. I always hold on to what the Holy Spirit tells me, if a verse is highlighted to my mind clearly (as I read the Bible) and brings a lot of peace, I just cling to it. And in other areas just keep prophesying the word of God and the will of God. The word of God changes circumstances
Love one another as Christ loved you (John 15:12). Known affectionately as "Don Millo", he believes that, to live happily, you need to have an abundance of love and to live life without anger. Bible says of Jesus, that greater love has no man that his, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Basically, when Jesus went to the Cross, he did it for his friends. “I can’t bear to see my friends Peter, John and Andrew and Thomas in hell, So I will bear their agony.” Of course, he died for everyone, and that’s the Glory of the Father in Jesus’ death. Do you love and care for your friends and family like that? Do you pray for your non-believing friends regularly
God sets the solitary in families (Ps 68:6): As you grow older it is almost impossible to live alone or without help. Here is a man, who is so wonderfully being taken care of by his children and grandchildren. This is doing the will of God. These days many children emigrate, leave their parents behind to wallow in old age homes or to live alone. To care for your old parents is better than writing code for the latest Facebook app or Windows 11. It takes a lot of patience and effort to care for the elderly, but it's worth it and it is our duty. God will reward you fully one day. Bible warns us that in the last days, people will be lovers of self, covetous, proud, disobedient to parents and unthankful and unholy and without natural affection (2 Tim 3:1-5). Remember Paul warned us that fire will try your work one day and only that which is done for Christ will last. If you are old and are reading this, He who began a good work in you, will finish it until the day of Christ. As your days so shall your strength be. God can still use you at 80, 90 years or more directly or through prayer. God used John at 90 years to finish the Bible, by writing the Book of Revelation.
Lastly woe unto me if I do not preach the Gospel: (1 Cor 9:16) Everyday souls are dying without hope. The world clings on to one hope reed after the other only to see it fail. Stand firm in the Gospel and whenever the occasion comes do give an answer to people for the reason of your hope. Emilio, at 112 years is confessing Christ as his life, what about you?

Whether we live to a hundred or fifty, it is important to do the will of God and give yourself wholly to the Lord. Know your assignment on earth and accomplish it.

David lived for just 70 years, but accomplished the will of God for his generation (Acts 13:36).
John lived till 90yrs+ etc and finished the Book of Revelation and died seeing a genuine revival in his Churches.
James (brother of John) died a martyr at a very young age, just a few years after Pentecost (Acts 12:2), he was a seed that fell into the ground to bear much fruit.

Whatever your lot is, the world is passing away with its lusts thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17. As Derek Prince said, being alive is less important that doing the will of God. They overcame him by the Blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto death. Rev 12:11.