Walking with Jesus

 

My hubby goes to a men’s prayer group each week. Last night, those men and their wives met at the leader’s home for fellowship and dessert. The fellowship topped the ‘sweet’ list. One of the wives was the person who made a wreath of pink tulips for me (because of this post). We’d only met once before yet our conversation was as if we had been sisters forever. Why? Because our desire to live for Christ was identical.

Today’s example is Enoch from the OT. He lived as many years as our calendar has days. It was said: “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5:23–24) The NT put it this way:

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:5–6)

Enoch did not win God’s favor by something he did. Instead, God was pleased with him because he believed what God said, the same as Abel did before him and Noah after him, even the same faith of the thief who died beside Jesus and the faith of those who are in God's family today.

As for the walking part, the only way anyone can do this is by faith. I began my journey with the Lord by faith and cannot perfect or complete that journey by my own efforts in the flesh to do the good attitudes and actions as God commands.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)

But how do I know what that looks like? The next chapter in Colossians describes a walk of faith. It is about priorities, attitude, hope, self-denial, and willingly allowing Christ to use me as a display of His goodness. That includes forgiving others and loving His family as my own with peace and thankfulness ruling my heart. It is also being in His Word and letting all He says affect all I think, say, and do.

If I have been raised with Christ… set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. I have died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God… I must put to death what is earthly in you… all evil desires and idolatry… putting them away, also anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk and lies. I’m to put on a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and… forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven me. Putting on love as it binds everything together in perfect harmony, letting the peace of Christ rule in my heart… being thankful, all because the Scriptures richly dwell in me. I’m to teach, admonish in wisdom, sing praise and thanksgiving in my heart, and do all to glorify the Father God in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:1–17 personalized and paraphrased)

PRAY: Jesus, You are teaching me more often to pray Your words and as I do, the sense of You hearing and responding keeps increasing. Walking with You is not about me being sinless, but about knowing Your perfections are mine by faith, and as I keep my heart and mind on You, You are transforming me to be more like You. The more I see my weaknesses and failures, the more You remind me of Your goodness and grace. Walking with You is an incredible wonder!