Day 17

17 - WALKING WITH CHRIST

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves… Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

Galatians 5:16, 25

Have you ever taken the time to observe how others walk? What can you learn about a person from the way that they walk? If they walk with a limp, or shuffle their feet along slowly, you might guess that they are injured or lame. If they walk quickly, unaware of their surroundings, you might guess that they are in a hurry for a very important appointment. If they walk slowly, shoulders slumped, you might guess that they are discouraged. If they walk with their head down, not looking anyone in the eye, you might guess that they are shy or lack self-confidence. If they walk with their shoulders back and their head held high, you might guess that they are confident and optimistic. If they walk slowly, frequently gazing around with a puzzled look on their face, you might guess that they are lost.

Is there a right way to walk? In our relationship with God, there is absolutely a right way to walk. The scriptures are filled with instruction about how we are to walk in our relationship with God. While we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, and not at all by walking a certain way (good works), we will only fulfill God’s purpose for our life and ultimately please Him by walking with Christ.

In the New Living Translation, the word “walk” has generally been replaced with the word “live.” The word used in the Greek, peripateite (περιπατεῖτε), directly translated as “walk,” generally carries with it the meaning of “live” in these contexts. If you read the following verses in the English Standard Version, you will see them translated as “walk.”

• Journal your insights on how we are to “walk” in our newfound relationship with Christ.

Read Romans 6:4.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Read Galatians 5:16, 25.

Read Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10 & 1 Thessalonians 2:12.

Read Ephesians 5:2.

Read Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 1:7.

Read Ephesians 5:15, Colossians 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:12.

Read Colossians 2:6.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1.

Read 1 John 2:6.

Read 2 John 1:4, 3 John 1:3-4.

Read 2 John 1:6.

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If we are “walking in Him,” we will then “walk as Jesus walked” by “walking in the Spirit,” “walking by faith,” “walking in obedience,” “ walking in the truth,” and “walking in love.” If this is how we walk, then the result will be that we are “walking in newness of life,” “walking in the light as children of the light” and “walking in wisdom in the way we interact with outsiders.” By doing so, we will “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” as we “walk to please God."

Apart From Him…

• Thank the Father that He sent His Son to be your model for how to walk and He has given you His Spirit, indwelling within you, to enable you to walk in a way that pleases Him.

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Walking As Jesus…

• Which of the above “walk” verses is most impactful for you right now? Share that verse with a friend today, telling them what God is teaching you about how to walk with Christ.

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• My Personal Disciple-Making Plan: