WALKING WITH GOD

"... Enoch walked with God..." (Genesis 5:22)

Enoch was a great man of faith.  Twice in Genesis chapter 5, the Bible says that Enoch "walked with God."  What a tremendous statement.  Enoch was a man who lived before the New Testament was written.  In fact, he lived before Moses or even Abraham.  The Scriptural testimony given of Enoch's life is powerful.  Enoch walked with God.

Are you walking with God?  It is one thing to believe in God but it is another thing to actually be walking with Him.  These days, people tend to categorize their lives.  In their schedule, they have Sunday morning carved out for God but the rest of the week is devoted to personal and professional interests.  Obviously, that was not the case with Enoch.  God was not part of Enoch's life; God was his life. 

Some would argue that Enoch lived during a different age and it is not possible to walk with God today.  That is rubbish!  It is true that life is more complex than ever before, but it is still possible for a person to walk with God.  There's no reason why you can't be that person!

One of my favorite Gospel songs is the old Stamps-Baxter song, "Hand In Hand With Jesus."  Look at the words of the chorus:

                                    Hand in hand we walk each day,

                                    Hand in hand along the way;                            

                                    Walking thus I cannot stray,

                                    Hand in hand with Jesus.

You can walk with God in 2015.  In fact, the most important thing you can do this year is walk with God.  Let me share a few thoughts about this subject.

1.            WALKING WITH GOD REQUIRES A RELATIONSHIP

In order for you to walk with God, you must know Him.  Walking with God requires that you have a relationship with Him.  In John 17:3, Jesus prayed to the Father, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  The only way for a person to know God is through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Walking with God begins with an experience the Bible calls, "salvation."  When a person repents of his sins and places his faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, he is born again.  When the new birth occurs, a man may begin walking with the Lord.

2.               WALKING WITH GOD INDICATES A JOURNEY

If you are walking, you are going somewhere.  Life is a journey.  For the Christian, our walk is a journey of faith.  Every day we are on the move.  Our path sometimes leads to high mountain peaks.  At other times, we travel through deep valleys.  The journey of life is not always easy, but it is fulfilling.  No one can honestly say that walking with God is boring. 

3.            WALKING WITH GOD REQUIRES SURRENDER

If we are on a journey, who decides where we are going?  The fact is that God is the One who is leading this walk.  We must surrender daily to His Lordship.  Walking with God requires our loving obedience.  When we obey God, we find that He leads us in the right direction.  Sometimes the road gets rough & at times it gets so dark that we cannot see, but God knows where we are going and we can trust Him.  It is great to know that He is holding our hand every step of the way. 

4.            WALKING WITH GOD IS REWARDING

Walking with God is difficult at times, but it is the most rewarding experience of life.  Sometimes the journey gets scary, but God is in control.  If you ever go sightseeing, you know that you get much more out of the experience if you have an experienced travel guide leading the way.  An experienced travel guide will show you the notable scenes.  He'll also keep you from dangerous situations.  God is more than a tour guide.  He is our Lord.  He cares deeply about us.  He leads His children in the paths of righteousness. 

5.            WALKING WITH GOD ULTIMATELY LEADS US HOME

The journey of faith has an ultimate destination:  home.  No, I'm not referring to the house you live in, but the eternal home God has prepared.  Look at the lyrics to the final verse of the song, "Hand In Hand With Jesus":

                                   

                                    When the stars are backward rolled,

                                    And His home I shall behold;

                                    I will walk the street of gold,

                                    Hand in hand with Jesus.

Psalm 23:4 says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."  One day, we will walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow death, not just to the valley.  You will walk through the valley, but not alone.  The Bible says, "I will fear no evil, for thou are with me."  He will walk with us through the valley and out the other side.  God is leading us where we belong:  in heaven with Him.

Have you been walking with God?  Are you walking with Him right now?  If not, today would be a great day to begin.