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“He Walked With God”

Some who die will be remembered for having possessed profound skill, such as Babe Ruth’s ability to hit 60 home runs in a single season. Virtuous leaders of countries are mourned universally when they pass from this life – they are missed because of the good influence they had on millions of people. But, in the final, eternal analysis, is any of that really important? Would it not be far better to say of one who lives no more, “He walked with God?”

The prophet Amos said, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). He was not talking about man walking with man but our walking with God. If I don’t agree with God, my attempts to walk with Him will not be joyful. It makes men miserable when they try to walk with God but do not agree with Him. It is not God who must agree with how I want things to go or what I like in religion, it is I who must agree with God in order to walk with Him.

“Walking” As God “Walks”

Most of us feel that our walking with Him could be closer — sometimes we feel close, other times we feel separated. That is usually true, because we have not spent time with Him in worship, prayer or letting Him talk to us through His Word. Closeness is identifiable in our lives with how much He lives in our thoughts and character. Walking with God means walking where He walks (cf. 1 John 1:5-6; 1 John 2:5-6). It also means that we walk in the same manner as He walks which involves a transformation of character to become like Him (Romans 12:2; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 1:9-10; Colossians 3:1-10; 1 John 4:7-8). Have you ever noticed how much husbands and wives become very much like each other after 50 years of marriage?

The Implication Of “Walking”

Walking with Him in light does not mean that we are perfect nor that we never stumble. God still walks with us, if we turn our feet back again to the pathway of righteousness (1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1-2). “Walking” implies a direction, a consistency, not perfection. Building a closer walk with Him begins with an intimate knowledge of His character and will and is finalized in becoming like Him — Jesus is that perfect example that we are to emulate (1 John 2:6; 1 Peter 2:21).

Conclusion

The briefest but most praiseworthy epitaph of a man’s life is recorded in Genesis 5:22 — “And Enoch walked with God….” When this writer crosses that river of death, all I really want to hear is “He walked with God.” Nothing else really matters.