Walking with God

 

 

 

 

  1. Enoch is the great example – and should be one of our favorite Bible characters.
    1. Enoch walked with God for 300 years and was translated (Gen 5:21-24).
    2. Enoch’s faith pleased God – as ours must when coming to God (Heb 11:5-6).
      1. The context is very tight between pleasing faith and walking with God.
      2. Faith believes (1) God is and (2) He rewards a diligent search for Him.
      3. Coming to God is our effort to walk with God, and He rewards such.
  2. There are other examples – these are only a few of those with a close walk with God.
    1. Noah walked with God and saved his family gloriously (Gen 6:8-9; Heb 11:7).
    2. Abram (Ge 12:7; 13:14-18; 15:1-7; 17:1-22; 18:1-15,16-33; 21:1-19; Jas 2:23).
    3. Moses asked specifically and boldly for God’s Manifestation (Ex 33:12-23).
    4. Joshua did not leave the tabernacle where the LORD met Moses (Ex 33:11).
    5. The whole church of Israel under Asa walked with God (II Chr 15:2,4,12-15).
  3. What it is. Walking with God is that personal, friendly, intimate life of fellowship.
    1. It is His Presence as Moses (Ex 33:12-23) and His friend as Abram (Jas 2:23).
    2. It is the Father and Son abiding by the Spirit (John 14:15-18,21-23; 15:13-15).
    3. It is being led by and walking in the Spirit of God (Rom 8:9-17; Gal 5:16-25).
    4. It is holy fellowship with God and His Son Jesus Christ (I John 1:1-9).
    5. It exceeds earthly pleasure or pain (Psalm 73:23-28; Habakkuk 3:17-19).
  4. What it is not.
    1. It is not hearing (Jas 1:22), believing (Jas 2:19), or saying (I John 2:4).
    2. It is not praying at meals, going to church, Bible reading, and loving doctrine.
    3. It is not public boasting of your confidence, joy, love, and peace in the LORD.
  5. Getting it. We have seen that Enoch pleased God by faith; so should we (Heb 11:5-6).
    1. It is fervent and holy altering of priorities rather than mystical ritual or recipe.
    2. Ask for it (Psalm 27:7-9; 63:1-3; 145:18; Is 55:1-2; Matt 7:7; Luke 11:13).
    3. Ask fervently (Ps 27:4; 63:8; Is 55:6-9; Jer 3:10; Heb 11:6) and boldly (Gen 32:24-32; II Kgs 2:9-14).
    4. Draw nigh to God, and He’ll draw nigh to you (Jas 4:4-10; Ps 63:1-8; Is 58:9).
    5. You must seek Him diligently with your whole heart (Heb 11:6; I Chron 28:9).
    6. Godliness and holiness is walking with God (Ps 4:3; I Thess 4:1; I John 1:5-7).
    7. Be patient for Him to come to you (Psalm 27:13-14; Is 45:19).
  6. Keeping it. Sin separates us from God: so we have the task of maintaining our walk.
    1. Do not grieve (Eph 4:30) or quench (I Thess 5:19) the Holy Spirit of God.
    2. Immediately confess and forsake any sins (I John 1:8-10; Job 34:31-32).
    3. The LORD might hide for a while (Ps 27:9; 101:2). David often sought it.
  7. Restoring it. Sin separates us from God: so we have the task of restoring our walk.
    1. He resents us losing our first love, so we must do first works (Rev 2:4-5).
    2. Remember that chastening is to bring you back to Him (Hosea 5:15).