- What is meant by the words: “Walking with God.”
- Show how believers can maintain their walk with God.
- If you have never walked with God give some reasons to do so now.
1. What do the words: “Walking with God” mean?
(1) God asks: Amos 3:1-3; Rom. 8:7 – Enmity means “intense dislike, positive hatred, open or concealed.” A wonder that especially creature man should have enmity against his Maker in whom he lives and has his being (Acts 17:28)! Gen. 3:8-12: In first parents. Rom. 5:12: Adam’s children, Cain slew Abel because he loved and was favored by God! Jer. 9:7-8; Rom. 7:18: Enmity is in the believer until he dies. The unsaved will never lose it: Matt. 5:30. Enmity’s prevailing power must be removed to walk with God.
(2) Eph. 2:13-16: abolished; Rom. 5:1: peace with God; 2 Cor. 5:17-21: reconciled
(3) Implies fellowship: 1 John 1:3; 2:6 – Enoch maintained communion with God.
(4) 2 Cor. 3:18: walking implies progress “from strength to strength” (Psa. 84:7). In one sense Divine life never changes – born of God forever. Another sense it admits decay, backsliding, left first love – babes, young men and fathers. 2 Pet. 3:18. Enoch had this testimony that he pleased God Heb. 11:5, a fiery preacher: Jude 14-16.
2. How believers can maintain their walk with God.
(1) John 5:39 – Read the Word: 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 119:105; 1 Tim. 4:15. Heb. 4:12-13: David said of Goliath’s sword: “There is none like that; give it me” 1 Sam. 21:9. “Lively (living-JND) oracles” (Acts 7:38). More sure than Christ transfigured: 2 Pet. 1:18-21
(2) Eph. 6:18: Prayer – “Watch and pray”: Matt. 26:41; Lu. 18:1; arrow prayer Neh. 2:4.
(3) 1 Tim. 4:15: Frequent meditation – Ps. 16:7; Matt. 18:10; Fire kindled: Ps. 39:3.
(4) Matt. 10:29-30: Providential Dealings – “Give Me your heart” Prov. 23:26; Gen. 24:27
(5) Rom. 8:14: Led by the Spirit – He leads only by the Word: John 14:16-17; Eph. 3:18
(6) Luke 1:6: Walk according to His ordinances – 1 Tim. 3:15; Ps. 27:4; 1 Cor. 11:26
(7) Ps. 16:3: Keep company with those who walk with God – Heb. 10:24-25; Prov. 27:17
3. Motives (reasons) if you have never walked with God, to do so NOW.
- Esther 5:11-12; 6:6-8 – It is an honorable thing to walk with God – Ps. 25:14; John 15:15
- Prov. 3:17 – It is a pleasant thing to walk with God – Ps. 84:10; Ps. 19:10-11; love: Rom. 5:5; joy: 1 Pet. 1:8; burden light: Matt. 11:29 – His service is freedom.
You may ask: “How can this be if spoken against?”: Acts 28:22 – Judge right: John 7:24. Lord pronounces them “Blessed”: Matt. 5:11-12. Christ suffered the same: 1 Pet. 2:21; glad Acts 5:41; works for us: Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Paul and Silas sang praises in prison, Stephen saw Christ when stoned; Jesus sweetens suffering: Heb. 13:5,6. – Objections enforce instead of destroy reasons for walking with God.
- 1 Cor. 15:52: outweigh all other motives – like Enoch: ”was not, God took him” – “we look for the Saviour” Phil. 3:20-21
What can I more say to cause you, yet a stranger to Christ, to walk with God? The Lord invites you: Isa. 1:18; Matt. 11:28; Isa. 66:2; 1 John 1:7; “Now” 2 Cor. 6:2