WALKING WITH GOD VS WALKING ACCORDING TO GOD

       

   What is the difference between walking with God vs walking according to His instructions?  

            If you need to come to my house, I can give instructions on how to get there. Depending on how well you listened and understood the instructions and how good you are at following the instructions will determine whether or not you make to my house or get lost along the way.  If I come to you and we go to my house together, is there any doubt you will make it?

              This is the difference between religion and relationship.  Even within soul saving faith, many fall into the trap of religion and lose their way.  I am not suggesting a loss of salvation, but I am suggesting a journey filled with unnecessary detours and wrong turns.  A journey that is only as good as the ability to hear, understand and follow God's directions.

               Jesus told us, "Pick up your cross and follow me."  Jesus did not say, "here is the best way to go..."  He told us to follow Him.  When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, God did not hand him a map and a compass and tell him, "I'll meet you there!"  No, God led Moses and Moses walked with God.

              When Jesus was in His earthly ministry, He did not say, "I'm just following instructions."  No, Jesus said, as recorded in scripture: John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

               God gave us His Word, the Bible, but He also gave us His Spirit to dwell in us, giving the Bible life changing power as we apply it to our lives, according to His lead.  Having the Bible without the Spirit is like having a car with no gas.  Through great effort you can push the car where you want to go, but you will expend all your strength and not get very far.  Trying to apply the Bible to our lives without the direction and strength of God will wear you out!

               Many believers say, "I am trying to serve God the best I can."  This statement is nothing more than the seeds of failure.  I hate to quote Yoda here, but, "Do or do not, there is no try."   "I'll try" is born of doubt while "I will" is an emulation of the Savior we claim to follow.  

            So, how exactly do we walk with God when we cannot physically detect His presence?  The first step is getting over the barrier of mere mental ascent.  So many acknowledge God in their minds yet never actually commit their hearts.  Ask the average person if he believes the Bible is the Word of God.  I daresay, most will say, "yes."  Now, ask all the people who answer yes, "when was he last time they actually read the Bible."  You will be amazed by the results.  

             Reading the Bible must be accompanied by prayer and a willingness to apply what is read to our lives, not as a set of rules designed to keep us out of trouble, but as a guide for daily life.  When the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, this means we are to have a constant awareness of God's presence and we are to be interacting with God just as we interact with those with whom we physically share our lives. 

              Walking with God will lead us to love.  Not romance or feelings based love, but true sacrificial love which leads us to see others as God sees them.  This kind of love is sacrificial and unconditional.  This kind of love allows us to look beyond socio, economic, and cultural differences and love whether we agree or not.  This kind of love will lead us to serve others in the hopes of leading them to the truth of the Gospel.  

               Walking with God produces peace and joy while trying to walk according to God brings angst and worry.  Walking with God takes the guesswork out of life. 

                 What would life be like if you no longer had to worry if you were good enough? Walk with God and find out!


             God desires fellowship with us and has given us an innate desire to know Him, though many suppress this desire.  Experience life as God designed it to be lived. Experience life in God's presence.  Follow God, not what you think are His rules. Enter into the unlimited love, joy and peace which can only be found in Christ.


Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!