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As we study the Word of God, we find in Genesis 5:21-24 and 6:9, that both Enoch and his great-grandson, Noah, “walked with God.” It is interesting that Enoch was a contemporary of Adam, who died approximately 57 years before Enoch was taken up to be with the Lord (Genesis 5:21-24). Even though both Enoch and Noah lived in an extremely wicked society they both walked with God. These two men prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that regardless of the environment that we grow up in, a person can still follow God. The question is how do we accomplish such a meaningful and fulfilling quest in life? Micah states that we must “walk humbly” with God (Micah 6:8). In doing so we are reminded of the greatness of God and that we are mere men subject to the hardships of life and that in God we have hope. According to Deuteronomy 8:6, we must also “walk in His ways and to fear Him.” (See also Ecclesiates. 12:13-14). John stated in 1 John 2:6 that we must walk as Jesus walked, that is we must strive to live the life He lived. The life of Jesus was all about pleasing the Father and bringing Him honor and glory. Then in 1 John 1:6-7 we read, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not practice the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Finally, we must “walk by the Spirit” according to (Galatians 5:16).
We do all this with one thing in mind, that Satan is continually striving to separate us from God. Jesus reminded us that Satan is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). It is through lies that he tries to separate us from God. He did so in Genesis when he told Eve that eating the forbidden fruit would make her like God! Even today Satan continues to lie in order to separate people from God. One example is when Satan promotes atheism as an escape from God’s judgment. I have known people who once served God faithfully that decided to be atheists when they started living immoral lives. The fact is, it is easier to do things that are wrong when we separate ourselves from God and begin to believe that he does not exist. Regardless, God is present whether we acknowledge Him or not. There is a truth we cannot escape; one cannot escape the light of God by trying to walk in the darkness. As always, the light of God will shine through the lies and deceits of Satan.
If we place ourselves in the darkest of dark places, there is never a place so dark that the smallest light cannot be seen. This is the way it is with God, regardless of the darkness of sin we are involved in, the light of God will shine through if we seek and follow that light. Satan also prevents people from walking with God by convincing them that they are already walking with Him when they are not. Yet many are convinced of this lie. We should remember that God walks with us “every step of the way” only if we are in step with God!
Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Can we know whether we are really walking with God? Being in the presence of God is not enough. The truth is that God is everywhere! So, in a sense, everyone is in God’s presence. This is seen in the statement of David in (Psalm 139:7). But being recognized as a living breathing human being is not enough. We must recognize that God exists and is there; that He is awaiting our submission to His will. Paul told the Athenians: “He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:27, 28). But there are many people that think of God as being far away. They believe that God is not part of their daily life. In reality, God is present, it is mankind that ignores Him. Asa told Judah: “The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2). The same teaching is observed and taught in the New Testament. James the half-brother of Jesus said, “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). God moves close to those who want to be close to Him. How close are we to God?
To walk with God, we must accept and follow Jesus (Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 20:18). Noah was said to walk with God because he did what God asked (Genesis 6:22). God expects no less of us (Matthew 28:20, Revelation 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 1:1-2). Do You Walk With God?
(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)