“Enoch walked with God…” (Genesis 5:24)
In the simplest of terms, we can begin to understand the biblical concept of “walking with God” by considering what it means to “walk” – in the broader sense of that word – with another person. For such a scenario to work, certain elements must be in place. For example, there must be a connection, or relationship, between the two parties. They must share some level of commonality. Commitment is also a requirement, along with consistency. When all these elements are in place, the two parties can expect to experience a deep, abiding companionship and communion as a result.
Now let’s look at each one of these elements to see how they relate to our walk with God.
Every journey begins with the first step, and so does our walk with God. The beginning point of this relationship is our spiritual birth into God’s family – as Jesus described to Nicodemus in John 3 – because only God’s children are allowed to come on this journey with Him.
The next step that is required if we are to walk with God is commonality. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The answer is obvious. So if we disobey and rebel and allow sin to creep back into our life after becoming a Christian, God may withdraw His presence. We must continually pursue holiness in order to walk with God, because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). In order to walk with Him our steps must align with His Word and His will.
The next step on this journey involves a level of commitment to our Christian walk and spiritual growth that elevates it above all other priorities in our life. Christ said in Matthew 10:37, “He that loves father or mother… or son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” God will not settle for second place in your heart. He is Lord, and if we are to walk with Him we must honor Him as Lord and King of our life.
The next step involves a consistent dedication to growing our relationship with our Father. God despises complacency and stagnation in His children (Rev. 3:15-16). If we want to enjoy walking with God, then we need to stay thirsty for His presence – like the psalmist when he said, “my soul thirsts for God, for the living God,” (Psalm 42:2).
If we take the above steps, God promises that we can share in spiritual fellowship, companionship and sweet communion with Him (Rev. 3:20) through prayer, worship, and meditation in His Word. The puritan Robert Bolton said, “walking with God is the crown of the Christian’s character.”
Some biblical examples of men who walked with God include Adam before the fall (Gen. 3:8), Enoch (Gen. 5:22), Noah (Gen. 6:9), and Abraham (Gen. 17:1).
Consider these examples, and then take an honest look at your own Christian walk. Is your relationship with God growing deeper and stronger? Is it waning? Has it become stagnant? Francis Roberts said, “A Christian must have obedience, practice, and doing.”
Maybe you haven’t yet taken the first step toward God through the door of salvation. Begin this journey today by submitting to Christ’s Lordship, and receiving Him into your life as both Lord and Savior, that you might adore God for what He has done for you.
Then watch your steps to see that you are growing in your walk with God through obedience, a deep commitment, and consistency in your christianity. In doing so you can come to know the joy of spiritual communion and a level of intimate fellowship with your Heavenly Father that you may have never before known.
- Lord, Enoch wholly dedicated himself to Your service. He walked before You acceptably with reverence and godly fear, and it’s almost as if Scripture shows that his walking was perfect. Walking with You in the Old Testament and being well-pleasing to You in the New Testament are synonymous terms. Enoch is a perfect example of how to walk before You in the power of the Spirit. Help me to walk in the way Enoch walked that I might also serve You in holiness and godly fear in the power of Christ.
- Lord, certainly the greatest testimony that can be given a man is that he walks with You, the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity. Do I do this? How well do I do it?
- Sinful men can perform all kinds of religious duties and still reap no spiritual benefit from any of it. Until they know You as Savior and Lord, they can never know what it is to walk with You. You are a God that sees and searches all men’s hearts. You observe the ways of Your servant, and You see him not only in his outward duties of godliness, but in the secret of his soul as he walks with You. Help me walk well before You, even in the deep recesses of my heart.
Further References for Genesis 5:24
Heb. 11:5; Ps. 49:15, 73:24; Jude 1:14; Rev. 3:4
