Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him (Colossians 2:6, ESV).
The writers of Scripture use many vivid pictures to describe the Christian life. It’s called working in a vineyard (Matthew 20), building a house (Matthew 7), and running a race (1 Corinthians 9). But by far, the most common New Testament image of living the Christian life is a walk.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit”(Galatians 5:25).
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1, NKJV).
The theme of walking echoes throughout Ephesians: “Walk in love” (5:2),“Walk as children of light” (5:8), “Look carefully then how you walk” (5:15). Remember, the Holy Spirit inspired the writers of Scripture to express the very words and thoughts of God.
Walking depicts the course of an individual’s whole life: Enoch and Noah“walked with God” (Genesis 5:22, 6:9); King Jehu did not (2 Kings 10:31). It is a dominant, inspired metaphor in Scripture and a picture of what our relationship with God should look like. God hasn’t called you to an Olympic decathlon. Nor has He asked you to scale the Himalayas to find Him. He has invited you for a walk with Him on the journey of life.
And along the way, God is changing you. Sometimes you may grow impatientand want instant, complete victory over all your sins and problems. Sometimes you’ll grow discouraged; a lifetime of battling sin and seeking victory can seem overwhelming. But as you walk with Him and grow spiritually, you will see change begin.
If you are ever going to be the person God intended you to be, your focus must be on the next step. Just that step and nothing else. When you strain to see the future or fear you won’t have the energy or strength for tomorrow, the enemy will have succeeded in intimidating you—and you’ll have missed the opportunity to live for Christ in this moment.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him”(Colossians 2:6).
As you walk with God today, rather than scanning the horizon for whatever lies ahead, just focus your eyes on the next step and live fully for Him.
Journal
How does the metaphor of walking with God appeal to you?
What next step does God want you to focus on today?
Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for the invitation to walk with You. I want to be a person who walks with God, like Noah and Enoch. I will trust You to lead, and I will focus simply on my next step. Please show me what You want me to do today. Help me to quiet the other voices vying for my attention and to listen for Yours. Thank You for the intimacy of walking with You, because of Jesus. In His name I pray, amen.
Our Journey devotionals are brought to you by Change Partners of Walk in the Word.
