Posted by Liberty

Does the walk affect the relationship?

The sole of a shoe, and the soul of a person may have more in common than you think; it seems that both can become worn out if the path is not smooth. When you read Isaiah 26:7 and Psalm 27:11, you get the sense that both the Prophet and the King knew that a walk of righteousness was always a smoother path than the way of self.

It doesn’t really matter what society thinks is ok; and it doesn’t  matter what I think is ok; but if I claim to be a Christian, and my life is not being lived according to biblical standards, then somewhere there is a breakdown in my relationship with Jesus; and if this was not a problem, then Paul would not have given us the advice he did in Ephesians 5:1-21 about how to walk.

A simple reading of the New Testament alone reveals the characteristics of a Christian; and never forget, these attributes carried a high level of expectation that they would be carried out in the Christian’s life; and yet these first century believers lived in great hardship and abject poverty, with few of the comforts we have today; but yet they were able to be faithful. The Holy Spirit that dwells in every believer provides the super-natural ability needed to live the Christian life; but we must let it have it’s perfect work (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Since Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday, we can fully expect that those characteristics which are to be applied to those who are born-again, would be carried out tomorrow as well. Here are some of the attributes of a believer walking in right fellowship with Jesus Christ:

  • They seek to die to self daily (Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25)
  • They seek to bring glory to their Savior (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Peter 2:11-17)
  • They seek to worship according to biblical standards (Hebrews 10:19-27; Psalm 35:18)
  • They seek to serve a risen Savior as directed (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; James 2:14-26)
  • They seek to promote the well-being of the Body (1 Corinthians 12:4-14; Philippians 2:1-8)
  • They seek to grow in their faith (2 Timothy 2:15-16; 2 Peter 1:2-11)
  • They seek to be used more and more as they mature (Hebrews 5:11-14; Isaiah 6:5-8)
  • They seek to keep their commitments and to be faithful (Matthew 6:33; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33)

If you were to honestly evaluate your relationship with Jesus Christ, and then you were to realize that your walk is merely superficial with little to no sacrifices being made for the glory of God; and that sin and self rules your life; you would then want to seek forgiveness and to repent of that wasted time, so that right fellowship can be restored; and that a healthy loving relationship with Jesus can be enjoyed.

As you read 1 John 1:5-10, Ephesians 2:10, and Psalm 90:12, you will begin to understand that a closer walk with Jesus will be one that is based on honesty, along with a willingness to allow Him to be the only Lord of your life; as you do, you will be amazed at how much softer your soul feels as you walk along the way.

May God bless you as draw closer to Jesus.

Pastor Mike