Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1918 — WALKING WITH GOD [ARTICLE]

WALKING WITH GOD

Only Those Redeemed by the Blood x)f Christ Can Enjoy That Privilege. This has been the uppermost topic in my mind, and my.constant meditation, and the theme of several Bible studies, during these past summer days, and I can think of nothing so glorious while we sojourn in.these mortal bodies. Such a life is the privilege of every true believer, and gives ft foretaste of heaven even herd on earth. We cannot begin this walk, this heavenly life, till we are redeemed for the spirit through Micah, when he exhorts to do justly, love mercy and humble ourselves to walk with God, is speaking to those who had been redeemed, Micah 6:4, 8. It is impossible for those who are not redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, as Israel was saved from death by the blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt, to walk one step with God. It is the height of folly and unbelief to think or talk of serving God, or worshiping him, or holding communion with him, unless we have been, born from above and become children of God by faith In Christ Jesus. The sad thing is that so few of his redeemed ones seem to want to walk with him, for it is so ’costly, and the way is so narrow, yet he Is ever looking and longing for such, that he may show himself strong on their behalf, and be glorified in them, II Chron. 16:9. It is written of Enoch,Noah and Levi, that they walked with God, Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Mai. 2:6; hut if we consider the cost of it to each of them, and that the whole world still Heth In the evil one, the prince and god of this world, and that fellowship with the world means enmity with God (I John 5:19, R. V.; John 14 ;30; H Cor. 4:4; James 4:4), it may help us to understand why, though many are called, few are willing to be his choice ones. It means constant living with him, walking as he walked, walking in love, much study of his purpose as revealed through the prophets, full agreement with him about' everything and every detail of his plans, no will i of oUr own about anything, sincere and continual abandonment of our whole being to him, that he may work in us to will and to do all his good pleasure, and that we desire In all things and at all times only his approval (I Thess. 5:10; I John 2:6; Eph. 5:1; Luke 24:25; Amos 3:3, 7; John 6:38; 8:50; Romans 7 •.!, 2; Phil. 2:13; I Thess. 2:4). It implies patient continuance in well-doing till absent from the body or caught up to meet him in the air, not thinking of any set time on which he may come, but wholly occupied with himself, and ready to fill any appointment of service or suffering if only he may be glorified in us.—Rev. D. M. Stearns in Kingdom Tidings.