THE CHRISTIAN WALK

The New Testament makes many references to how we, as Christians, are supposed to 'walk'. Walking is a verb, implying action. The references to our walk show us how we are to act and do things for God and for others. First, we will look at the word 'walk' that was translated from the Greek word 'peripateo', which means to simply walk, by placing one foot in front of the other.

Romans 6: 4 -- Therefore we are [were] buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

When we were born again, our 'old man' was buried with Christ because he died for our sins. Now we have a new life in his resurrection, and we should 'walk' in that newness of life. We should act like we are God's children, and continue to renew our minds according to His Word.

Romans 8: 4 -- That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We do not live just to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We are here to walk after the spirit, and seek spiritual knowledge.

Romans 8: 6b -- . . . but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

If we wish to have a peaceful life, we should walk a spiritual walk.

Galatians 5: 16 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

II Corinthians 5: 7 -- (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

The word faith is in this verse is the Greek word 'pistis', which is translated as 'believing'. We walk by believing the promises of God, even before we ever see them. In other words, we don't have to see it to believe it. So, the Christian walk is walking in our new mind, in the spirit, and in believing God. The next verse continues to show how our walk means 'action'.

Ephesians 2: 10 -- For we are his workmanship [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are God's masterpiece, created in Christ so we can do good works. We should walk the way God designed us -- doing good for others, especially the household of faith and the family of God.

Ephesians Chapter 5 describes, in detail, the walk of the Christian believer.

Ephesians 5: 2 -- And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us [you], and hath given himself for us [you] an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

We are to walk in love, and love others the way Christ loved us.

Ephesians 5: 8 -- For ye were sometimes [once] darkness [blind], but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Before we were born again we walked in darkness, but now we are in the light, and we should walk as children of light. We have nothing to hide, and our works can be shown in the light of day. [see I John 1: 7 which backs up Ephesians 5: 8]

Ephesians 5: 15, 16 -- See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

There are times when we will need to walk with exact precision, exercising care. This is how a wise person walks in difficult circumstances.

Colossians 1: 10 -- That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in [by] the knowledge of God;

We are to walk worthy, in a suitable manner, unto the Lord. We are to be fruitful as far as good works are concerned, and continue to learn about God and His plans for us.

Ephesians 4: 1 -- I Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

I Thessalonians 2: 12 -- That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Colossians 2: 6 -- As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

Christ is our leader, we are supposed to follow him and imitate him. In other words, act like Jesus Christ.

Colossians 4: 5 -- Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

I Thessalonians 4: 12 -- That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

We are supposed to act wisely in dealings with those outside the church, outside of the Christian family, as we depend on God alone for our needs.

I Thessalonians 4: 1 -- Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

We have been taught how we are to walk and please God. By doing this, and acting on what the Word of God says, we will abound more and more. That means that we will always have more than enough of everything that we need.

II John 4 -- I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

III John 3, 4 -- For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

God is overjoyed when we walk in the truth, which is His Word.

II John 6 -- And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

We show that we love God and each other by obeying His Word, by walking after His commandments.

All of the above verses stress some type of action that we as believers need to do. We are to walk in love, walk like Jesus Christ, walk in wisdom and honesty, walk in light, walk in the Word of God. The next several verses also use the word 'walk', but in a different sense. The Greek word is 'sto', which means 'to walk or step in order', like rank and file used in the military. Here are four examples:

Romans 4: 12 -- And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith [believing] of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

Abraham was the father of all believers, both Judean and Christian. His example of believing is what we are supposed to follow. We are to walk behind him, in his footsteps, along the pathway of believing (faith).

Galatians 5: 25, 26 -- If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

In our dealings with each other, we are supposed to walk (sto - orderly) by the spirit. We are not to be fighting and bickering among each other. God wishes all things to be done decently and in order within the church (see I Corinthians 14: 40).

Galatians 6: 15, 16 -- For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

We are to walk according to a measuring stick, or standard. That standard is that we believe that the Law of the Old Testament does not apply to Christian believers in this Administration of The Church Of Grace [See THE SEVEN ADMINISTRATIONS]. What is important is that we as born again believers (new creations) of God's spirit, live His Word. If we walk this straight line, we are doing God's Will.

Philippians 3: 16, 17 -- Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

As a family, as a church, we are to walk uniformly. We are to follow the example of Paul and other leaders, and walk in unity.

There are many more verses regarding our Christian walk in God's Word such as Romans 13: 13 and Ephesians 4: 17 - 20.

The Christian walk is not something that is complicated or difficult to learn. When we learned to use our legs and walk as little children, it eventually became second nature to us, so we do not have to think about it anymore. The same can be true with our spiritual walk. By renewing our minds to God's Word, we can learn to walk like Jesus Christ. We have the example of Jesus Christ and the apostles to teach us how to walk by the spirit. Then we can also walk (sto) in unity with other believers, thus fulfilling God's Will for us.

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