Focus: The Spiritual Walk (Pt.1)

Text: Heb.11:5

"For before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

In a world filled with evil and violence, the word of God declares that "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." The next thing we read is that "Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generation, and Noah walked with God." Peter tells us that he was "a preacher of righteousness" in a world of ungodly men. Those who have obtained the grace of God in this life must show it by walking with God.

Genesis 5 tells us about another man, Enoch by name, who lived before Noah, and who had the record that he "walked with God." Coming over to the New Testament, the author of Hebrews tells us that "he pleased God." Enoch walked WITH God, and by so doing, he pleased God. Every day as he walked with God, God was pleased with him. God was delighted with him.

The Scripture is replete with the subject of walking with God. In Genesis.17:1, God says to Abraham, "Walk BEFORE me." In chapter 24, verse 40, Abraham said to Eliezer his servant, "The LORD, BEFORE whom I walk." God instructed Abraham to walk before Him, and he did. Enoch walked WITH God. Abraham walked BEFORE God. In Gen.48:15, Jacob said, "God, BEFORE whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk…" Jacob testifies that his father Isaac also walked before God. 

Walking with God is fellowship. Walking before God is nearness. Nothing is as sweet as being close to and intimate with God.

God says to the children of Israel, "If ye walk IN my statutes…" (Lev.26:3). We are seeing dimensions of our spiritual walk. Walk with God. Walk before God, walk in my statutes. God demands that we live by His word and do what He says. We truly live when we live by His rules. His legislations form our constitution. We live by the dictates and policies of heaven.

Moses says to God's people, "Ye shall walk AFTER the LORD your God" (Dt.13:4). Walking with God. Walking before God. Walking in His statutes. Walking after the Lord our God. 

God sets the pace and determines the speed for us. We follow after Him. We imitate Him. We follow closely. We go where He goes and do what He does. God leads, and we follow. He is our example and motivation.

Our spiritual walk with God is meant to be exciting and adventurous.

In this walk with Jesus Christ, there are diverse ways and learning curves. God decides our steps and stops. He guides and guards us along the way.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter