CHRISTIAN WALK

Last winter the snow and ice have made travel difficult in the Baltimore area. Like many, I was not able to go anywhere, but sitting home, I listened to a police and fire scanner. The calls came fast and furious. I know I personally heard at least 100 calls about people who had fallen on the slippery surface. The snow and ice were treacherous. Some who fell broke legs or ankles, shoulders, and even hips. Others hit their head and were knocked unconscious. As I listened I was reminded of how easy it is for Christians to find ourselves on spiritually slippery and dangerous paths. In our generation our walk as Christians can be dangerous. It is so easy to fall. Let’s look at some of the ways the Bible says we are to walk:

CONSISTENT WALK (Eph 4:1-3)
It says, ‘walk worthy’ or in step with God’s plan. Vs 2, describes that walk, in lowliness, gentleness and longsuffering. The Christian is not to look for trouble. He’ll have more than enough without looking. Instead, we are encouraged to bear one another in love. Our love is not only for those of our own fellowship, but to all who are fellow believers. Vs 3, encourages us to strive for unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Certainly, we have our work cut out for us. What about our doctrinal differences, our administrative differences? We’ll never agree on everything, but we should be looking for areas of agreement, rather than areas of conflict. At the same time it must be pointed out that we cannot compromise the basics of our faith in Christ. If we could only follow these guidelines many of the difficulties could be worked out.

CAUTIOUS WALK (Eph 5:15-17)
Walk ‘circumspectly’, that is carefully or diligently. This is a walk directed by God’s wisdom. Study the scripture to find the way in which you are to walk and continue in it. It says in vs 16, redeeming the time, or making the most of every opportunity. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. We are living in evil days, and that makes the job even more difficult. Vs 17, beware of Satan’s traps. He’ll do his best to stop you. Just continue in God’s will, rely on God’s word and walk in God’s ways. Some think that if they don’t do anything or get involved they can stay out of trouble. Just the opposite is true. There is no more fertile ground for Satan’s attack than in the life of someone who is idle.

COMMUNING WALK (1 John 1:7-9)
The word communing means fellowshipping. Our fellowship is not only with fellow believers, but with the Father and with His Son Jesus. John reminds us of that truth as he begins this little epistle. Walking with Christ is walking in the light. Receiving understanding and direction from Him. We find light in God’s word and in His will. Darkness comes when sin enters the picture. As soon as God points out any sin in your life, confess it and continue in the light. That way you continue your fellowship. All of us are susceptible to sin. It can and does so easily beset us. If we say we have no sin, we make God a liar. Vs 9 says confess sin as God makes it known to you and receive forgiveness. Maintaining communion with Christ and other Christians is vital. In our unity there is strength, encouragement and protection.

CHRISTLIKE WALK (1 John 2:6)
We are to walk just as He walked. Now you and I both know that’s impossible. How can sinners expect to be like the Lord Jesus Christ? We can’t, but we can try to be more like Him today than we were yesterday. You see, we are encouraged to be growing in our Christian walk. As Paul, pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling, (Phil 3). Our goal should always be Christ’s perfect example, even though our practice will always be short of that goal. Don’t give up just keep going on one step at a time. It is also important to find out more about Christ. Look for ways you can imitate Him in your walk each day.

My daughter and son-in-law video taped our youngest granddaughter, Caitlin when they were in Hawaii. We have videos of when she was first born, up to her first birthday. She tried to walk almost as soon as she was born. She was never satisfied with crawling. It was interesting to see her first struggles and now to watch her run and jump and even climb. The progress was not always easy. Christian, it will not always be easy for you either, but keep on. Let God show you how you can have a walk pleasing to Him in grace and truth. God bless.