February 12: WALKING WITH GOD
Can two walk together unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3
A profound question indeed! The idea that fallen, sinful humans could walk with God, who is perfect, is too wonderful for me, to borrow a phrase from King David (Psalm 139:6). But the invitation to walk with God originates with God! Enoch comes immediately to mind.
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:21-24
The account of Enoch’s earthly life does not end in death; quite the contrast to everyone else in the Genesis 5 lineup. This account stands out for a reason and should get our attention. Something about the birth of his first child drew him closer to the LORD. Can you relate, beloved? Babies are so incredibly amazing! Enoch’s love for his child must have opened his eyes to the reality of God’s love. We can learn much from this brief account. In order to walk with God, Enoch cultivated a willingness to learn from Him. The Divine Guide would no doubt include corrections from errors that humans fell into shortly after our world began.
The choice to walk through life with God is left up to us. It is a choice to make daily. The apostle Paul, with great enthusiasm, walked with the Lord following his dramatic conversion (Acts 9:1-31). The purity of God’s love was not lost on Paul. Indeed, it shone a light upon Paul’s selfish tendencies, which is why he confessed, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). As a result, a marvelous love sprang up in Paul’s heart for his fellow believers.*
The early planting of the idea of going to live with God without dying points toward the faithful remnant who are still alive at Christ’s second coming (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17). It is evident that these are in complete agreement with Him on all points. This should be the goal of every Christ follower. If on any point you disagree with Him, you are not walking with Him.
The fact that Christians disagree with each other on certain points of doctrine should boost our interest in discovering what He actually says in His written word. It is a cop-out to jump to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter to Him, and it is lazy to accept what someone else has told you without checking. Both of these pitfalls are potentially deadly. The wisest decision one can make this very day is to cultivate a spirit of readiness to trust whatever He says and alter your thinking and actions accordingly. As you come face-to-face with needed adjustments, make them cheerfully. Beloved, you will discover that it is a joy to come into alignment with Him!
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgements, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:100-105
*Romans 1:11-12; 2 Corinthians 2:4; 12:15; Philippians 1:3-4,7-8; 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 11-12; 3:9-12