Continued from July 11, 2018…
In its simplicity, this threefold spiritual plan—do justly, love kindness and
walk humbly with God— provides for spiritual growth and happiness. God
warns that spiritual form must not become a substitute for religious service;
no ritual can make up for the absence of character and ethical behavior.
People can be very religious and still not walk with God.
July 18, 2018. Christians quite often do not take the time to refashion their core beliefs and assumptions about their relationship with God, how they are to grow, what spiritual activities are essential, and how they are to relate to other people. We need to confront ourselves with these spiritual growth opportunities.
A.W. Tozer wrote, “The bias of nature is always toward the wilderness never toward the fruitful field.” Therefore, weeds grow, but roses need cultivation. In life, there is an inclination to walk with the world. Thus, people easily walk with the world, but a walk with God takes cultivation and maintenance.
When asked for his secret of success, Louis Pasteur said, “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” When tempted to give in, Pasteur hung tight and through his perseverance and determination developed the smallpox vaccine. “The difficulties and struggles of today,” promised J. H. Boetcker, “are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow.”
As you prayerfully study and evaluate this material, you will realize that there is much more to the Christian life than conversion and a ticket to heaven. At some point, you will hopefully discover the most significant spiritual insight a Christian can experience.
It’s not in the achievement that we win. It’s in the struggle that we achieve. And like Jacob, we must hold on until we are blessed. The blessing you seek is a Walk with God.
WE WERE CREATED TO WALK WITH GOD
“He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
If you want to startle a Christian friend, ask them, “Are you walking with God?” Unless they are so unsettled by the question they can’t answer you, they will give you one of four answers: “Yes,” “No,” “Maybe,” or, “I don’t know.” Any answer other than “yes” is not okay. But, wait a minute. People that answer, “Yes” may not understand the question. The question is, “Are you living a lifestyle of fellowship and communion with God?”
God created people to live in a perfect relationship with Him. Among all that God created and pronounced “magnificent,” mankind alone was invited to walk with Him. People are free to accept or reject His invitation. God desires obedience, but He provides for disobedience. With obedience comes virtuous innocence, freedom, and reward. Disobedience brings sin, judgment, and punishment.
From the beginning, Adam and Eve walked with God. But, confronted with their first spiritual decision, the couple made the wrong choice. Faced with the option of obeying God or being like God, they chose the latter. As a result, they were banished from the Garden of Eden and no longer walked with God. Because they decided to walk another path they lost their unique fellowship privilege.
Because of this propensity to sin all descendants of Adam and Eve choose to forgo a close intimate walk with God for an uncharted walk of their own. Isaiah wrote, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his way” (Isaiah 53:6).
While every individual born into this world is pre-planned to walk with God, not all will do so. Pre-planned used in this context means that God walks with all who experience regeneration by placing their faith in Jesus Christ and surrender to His Lordship.