Walk is exercise.  I love to walk around the zoo, the art museum, the park…

Jesus wants us to walk in a very special way – let’s look at some scripture that will help us understand what that means.

In John 8:12 Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  Jesus was speaking to the Scribes and Pharisees after the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) was brought to Him. Remember they asked Him what should be done. He said if any one of you is without sin let him be the judge. We know the story, every one of them walked away. Jesus wasn’t finished at that point. He had come to help them see the truth, but their hearts were hardened. They could only see someone who was wanting to change their lives and they weren’t having any of it. They resisted and remained in the darkness of their sins. In other words, they chose to walk in darkness.

I, and I hope you, have made a different choice. I want to walk in the light. I want to live a life that follows Jesus. Paul had some thoughts on this issue:

Romans 6:4  “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” So what does it mean to walk in the newness of life? It means caring for and serving others with deep, considerate feelings rather than thinking only of ourselves. Our culture does not want this. We live in an all about me world and thinking of others before ourselves is not acceptable. Yet, if we want to become more like Jesus isn’t that what He wants of us? Isn’t that exactly what He did when He allowed Himself to be put on that cross? He thought of us first. To walk in the light is to put others first.

2 Corinthians 5:7  “We are to walk by faith and not by sight.” This kind of walking is about making something a habit. We are to make reading and knowing the Word such a real part of our lives that we can’t imagine walking in any direction that is not built on the Word.

Galatians 5:16  We walk in the Spirit when we place our lives in His total control. We are to walk totally in the truth. In John 8:31-32 Jesus says, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying My teachings and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” We are to trust in only Him through His Word and depend completely on Him.

Ephesians 5:2b “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”.  The walk of this verse is a reference to our behavior and actions. When we behave like Jesus, we are showing unselfish, unconditional love that always puts others first.

Colossians 4:5  “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Outsiders are those who are not Believers. This verse is about our conduct when we are speaking to those who don’t believe. In verse 6 Paul goes on to say, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” In our walk, as we talk with those who are not Christians, we are to carefully choose our words so that God’s Word is honestly spoken.

3 John 4  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” We, as believers, are to live according to God’s Word no matter the circumstances. This kind of walking is not about personal reputation or power. It is about knowing God’s Word and commands so well that in every step of life we submit to the Truth.

2 John 6  “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” Can you think of a time that Jesus was disobedient to God’s commands? I can’t. He spoke with His Father often and always did as He was told. Not only that, but everything He did was done because of His great love. I don’t know a single person walking this earth today that can say every step they take is because of their love, first for the Father, then for the people around them who need to know the Father. We should be aspiring to that every moment of very day!

Abba, Father, our trust is in You. Help us know and trust Your Word so we can walk as Jesus did. Show us how to walk step by step faithfully with You throughout the days ahead. Keep us totally focused on You and Your Word. Make it so in Jesus’ Name. Amen and Yes!