|
How
We Should Walk
C.R. Sutton
As we travel the journey from time to
eternity, we have access to the Scriptures in which we have
directions provided for us (in the Scriptures) as to how we should
walk that we may be saved eternally. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James
1:25; 2 Cor. 5:7; Hebrews 11:6: Romans 10:17; 2 John 9-11; James
2:12).
WE SHOULD WALK:
I. BY FAITH! In 2 Cor. 5:7 Paul said: "(For we walk by faith, not by
sight.)" One cannot walk by faith unless he listens to and learns
the Word of God because "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God." (Romans 10:17). One cannot walk by faith unless he
walks according to the teaching of God's word.
II. IN THE LIGHT. John said: "But if we walk in the light, as he is
in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7). To
walk in the light is to walk according to God's Word. (See Psalms
119:105, 130; Acts 26:18; John 8:12; 2Cor.4:4)
III. IN TRUTH. John said: "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy
children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from
the Father." (2 John 4). Since God's Word is truth, to walk in truth
is to walk according to God's Word, (see John 17:17)
IV. AFTER HIS COMMANDMENTS. John said: "And this is love, that we
walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye
have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." (2 John 2) To
walk after them, one must know them. Study to learn them.
V. WALK AFTER THE SPIRIT. We learn from Romans 8:1-6 that "There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit...who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh
do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to
be spiritually minded is life and peace." In Galatians 5:16 Paul
said: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh." To walk after the Spirit is to walk
according to the revelation of the Holy Spirit as written in the
Scriptures. When one engages in the works of the flesh, he is
walking after the flesh and not after the Spirit. When a person
follows the teaching of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the
Scriptures, he is walking after the Spirit and not the flesh.
VI. BY THE SAME RULE. Since we are following the same God, we should
be walking by the same standard or rule of authority. Jesus Christ
is our Lord and His Word should be our rule of faith and practice.
Most denominational churches have their own rule of faith and
practice. All who are a part of them are expected to accept and
follow them. The apostle Paul said: "...let us walk by the same
rule, let us mind the same thing." (Phil. 3:16). As Christians we
must all follow the same standard and rule of faith and practice if
we expect to please God.
VII. IN NEWNESS OF LIFE. We learn from Romans 6:1-5 that one must
die to sin in repentance and be buried with Christ by baptism and be
raised to "walk in newness of life". We must "put off concerning the
former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit" of our mind and "put
on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness." (Eph. 4:22-24). As new creatures we must live lives of
"newness". (See 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15).
VIII. IN GOOD WORKS. Paul says: "For we are his workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10). We are "to be ready to every
good work" and "always abounding in the work of the Lord" because we
know our labour is not in vain in the Lord." Faith without works is
dead. (See James 2:14-26).
IX. CIRCUMSPECTLY. Paul said: "See that ye walk circumspectly, not
as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are
evil." (Eph. 5:15-16). The word circumspectly means carefully.
X. HONESTLY. "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting
and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and
envying." (Romans 13:13). (See Rom. 12:17; 2 Cor. 8:21)
XI. TO WALK IN CHRIST AND TO WALK AS HE WALKED. John said: "He that
saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he
walked." (1 John 2:6). Paul said: "As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him..." (Col. 2:6). Also see
Col. 4:5; 1 Thess. 2:12; 4:1; Col. 1:10; Eph. 5:8; Rom. 4:12).
XII. IN LOVE. Paul said: "And walk in love, as Christ also hath
loved us..." (Eph. 5:2) 2 John 2:6 says: "And this is love, that we
walk after his commandments..." To walk in love, we must agree with
God. Amos 3:3 says: "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
XIII. IN THE LIGHT. According to Paul in Col. 1:13 and Eph. 6:12 the
world is in darkness. Darkness represents wickedness. Col. 3:5-7
teaches that we live in wickedness as we walk in it. Instead of
walking in darkness, we should walk in the light. (See John 12:35;
8:12; I John 1:6-7; 2:11).
To walk acceptably in the sight of God it is essential that we give
diligence to learn His will, believe and obey it from the heart! Are
you walking with God? Is He pleased with your walk? Is your walk a
good influence on others? It should be. (CRS)
|