LEARNING DAILY

Genesis 5:24, Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

If I had one inscription on my tombstone I want, “He walked with God.” That was a crucial description of Enoch and I want to have people see that in me. What does walking with God mean? I believe it means to make one’s relationship with God apart of their everyday lifestyle and honoring Him with their choices in every decision one makes. Is that not what Pastor Jonathon Moore was saying in his weekend message? Like every Believer I am a work in progress, being far from perfect as I do my best to walk the narrow way. We have seen that God requires Believers to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). That is not just for select Believers, that is the way God desires all Believers to walk.

Think of walking with God in this way. You and your best friend are walking somewhere, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Your attention is focused on what he is saying excluding everything else. You allow no distraction; you just enjoy the companionship of your friend.

The Believer’s walk with God is like that. To walk with someone in a biblical sense, represents a harmonious, on-going relationship that has consistent communication, a mutual respect and journey to the same place. Colossians 2:6-7 states it this way, “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Those who accept Jesus Christ as their savior in faith should live, think, and talk like Him, doing their best to please Him. Believers enter a heart relationship with Him, and He becomes their greatest desire. Meeting Him is not just a Sunday for one hour event; Believers live in fellowship with Him – to walk with Him.

Walking with a close friend often requires saying “no” to some things. Walking with the Lord requires saying “no” to a lot of things! It means letting go of every distraction that would interfere with that walk. Let me suggest some distractions to let go of – sinful habits, worldly entertainment, and unhealthy relationships. One can know these distractions are not God’s choices for them but still pretend everything is fine. Walking with God means you agree with Him about your life. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (NLT).  Your walk with Him is not going to be perfect. It does mean you have decided to do your best to seek and follow God’s will every day.

You already know what I am going to write about developing a close relationship with God. A relationship is based on getting to know as much as possible about a person. It is based on a trust that is built. Spending time with Him in prayer and Bible study gives the Believer the opportunity to listen (read) the written word of God. Pray as you read His Word that He will open it to you to understand and apply to your life. Like walking with that friend, do not allow distraction (and they will come). I wish the Bible gave more information about Enoch’s walk with God.