BACK TO: INDEX OF BIBLE NOTES

Walk is an interesting word used in the New Testament. It is instructive to see just what it means, and what message it has for us today.

Walk: (peripateo) to walk both physically and figuratively. At this time we are interested in the figurative meaning which can be defined as; "the whole round of the activities of the individual life whether of the unsaved or the believer."WEV

The bible is the best interpreter of itself so let us study the word (walk):

1. Eph.4:17-19.

In this passage it describes the individual life in the unsaved state.

1. In the vanity (mataio) = empty, vain, void of result, aimlessness; of the mind controlled by any whim or emotion. All of which would be opposed to the purpose of God.

2. having the understanding (dianoia) = thinking through, a meditation, reflecting; in this case with an evil connotation: darkened (skoteinos) = full of darkness; in this case no light is able to penetrate.

This described their moral state, and as a result they were alienated (apallotrioo) = alien, foreign; having no association with the life of God because of their ignorance of its existence, because of the blindness of their heart. The mind can not comprehend, nor even know of the existence of this foreign life. The heart, the central motivating part of the human being is in total darkness.

This total ignorance of the power and existence of the life of God then leads the blind unsaved into a hardness of heart down to (aselgeia) = licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency etc.; with greedy unsatisfied lust. This is the walk of the unsaved, but should a christian give up walking in the spirit their walk can be the same.

This passage does at least two things; first it commands Christians to walk in the Spirit but secondly it then describes the outcome of walking in the Spirit.

Above all we find from the scriptures that we are commanded to walk in the Spirit with the result that our whole life is pleasing to God. In order to know what is meant, let us examine some of the characteristics of that walk. A proper spiritual walk can not be commenced or maintained unless the concept of "seated in the heavenlies" is grasped by faith.

  Go to Top of Page

Rom.6:4.

Here we see that a complete end is made of what previously characterised us. At conversion it is as if we died, and then given a totally new life. We were buried with Him in baptism and like Him we have risen up from the dead and have become a new person. We have been given a new nature. Nevertheless we still have the old with us.

We walk by faith and not by sight, a very interesting statement because to walk by sight (eidos) = means appearance. So here we have the visible appearance of things contrasted to that which is believed but not seen. To have absolute confidence in the word of God, and know that it is true, is faith.

Everything we now see will pass away. It is not permanent, and in that sense it is not real. That which should direct our efforts and energies is the eternal truths of the infallible word of God.

We return to this verse to note that the walk is empowered by the Spirit of God Himself. We first have to learn, however, that we can not conduct this walk by our own effort or determination, or be exhorted to do it. It is possible only by the power of the Spirit.

The apostle exhorts us to behave in character with our calling or vocation, that of Christian, which is for all our life.

We are to be imitators of Christ Himself. His love surpasses all other. He died for the ungodly. This is unbelievable yet true. We were totally valueless and unacceptable to God yet He gave Himself for us. Can we measure up to this in our daily lives? No, unless empowered by the Spirit of God Himself. We are totally dependant upon the living God.

As a result of walking in the Spirit we achieve those

things which are pleasing to God, namely:

1. Fellowship with the Father and the Son

2. Fellowship with other believers,

I John 1:7. See above.

In this verse we have a very special requirement that our walk should be in the light. Light is that which makes manifest,

Therefore this can only happen when the believer is obedient to the scriptures, not legally, but motivated to return His love. There are two more aspects of walking in the light which are noteworthy:

1. As we progress in life the Word of God will expose more of our faults to our view in order that we may better regulate our behaviour.

2. By merely being in the light we are exposing ourselves to the inspection of others. They will see faults which we cannot, and by whose faithful exhortation and correction we may more fully be conformed to the image of His son.

Not only does implicit obedience to the word of God please our Lord. It is an example to all believers, and brings them great joy. This is, no doubt, a desirable goal.

Of all the characteristics of our life the greatest is that we should be like our Lord Himself. This, to all intents and purposes, is far, far above our capabilities yet the scriptures command that we should be like Him.

In a sense, the exhortation in Rom.12:1-2 puts all this together. Here we see, perhaps from another angle, how to achieve that which is pleasing to our Lord by walking according to His Word. It does not matter how much we try, or how much we are exhorted to be like Him, we are utterly incapable of doing it. Try, try, and try again brings nothing but experienced failure.

We have stated, and restated that the power is not within ourselves, but in another, the Lord Himself. The problem seems to be that truth is not taught, and so far as assemblies go, everyone soon fits into a set of conditioned reflexes. "Go through the motions, keep in good with the brethren, and all is well". Let us be quite clear, all is not well. This makes a fertile breeding ground for every disorder devised by the human brain, all evil. In the end, no testimony for the Lord.

  Go to Top of Page

Unfortunately this is a favourite verse of only a few believers. It is a very special call which comes from the heart of God to a believer. Metaphorically the believer offers his life in recognition of what the Lord has done for him. Christ offered Himself without spot, unto God, the perfect sacrifice. He also became the sin offering when He bore our sins in His body on the cross. In this case it is the logical response to what the Lord has done for us. What can we give in return is OUR LIFE. That is logical and reasonable.

Service.

And be not conformed, in this we are not to fashion ourselves like the world. The definition of the world is best described in

In returning to verse 2 above the second part of this verse switches from the negative, that is what we are not to be, to the positive, or that which we should be. We are to be transformed (metamorphoo) = to change into another state, not something similar, but something completely different; from the Greek word we get metamorphose. Here we are addressed to undergo a change under the power of God. This change is to be expressed in our character and life.

We achieve this by the renewing (anakainosis) "the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God." WEV. This adjustment will have a transforming effect on the life. Now the good and acceptable will of God can only be known by the complete surrender of the life to the Lord and His word. This is a living experience where the power and presence of the Lord is known.

The life lived in walking in the spirit brings forth fruit. Good fruit from a good tree. In contrast we have seen bad fruit from a bad tree. The fruit of the spirit was all that the Lord ever exhibited, and we have that new nature which should exhibit the same fruit.

Above all, the spiritual walk is not neutral, that is the absence of some kind of dynamic effect particularly on others. It is in fact a most positive and effective life, and it is visible for all to see.

The fruit of the spirit is what the tree bears. In this case the outward manifestations in the life which are listed below:

1. Love (agape) = "love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His son, 1 Jno.4:9-10, but obviously it is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it is not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom. 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, Deut. 7:7-8. Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, Jon.14:15-21". Notes on Thessalonians by Hogg and Vine p.105. Above all love is not emotional, it may not run with the natural inclination, for example, God gave His Son for man who hated Him and who God had already judged. The judgement being the eternal lake of fire. Yet He gave His Son.

4

2. Joy (chara) = joy, delight; It is not something which occasions emotional outbursts, it that inward feeling of contentment, and is strengthened by faith and hope.

3. Peace (eirene) = is a result of harmonious relationships; first of all with God, and secondly with men. It is the lack of agitation of mind.

4. Longsuffering (makrothumia) = (makros), long, (thumos), temper, forbearance, patience; it is almost as if the other fruit or characteristics produce this particular one.

5. Gentleness (chrestotes) = kindness, good, gracious; an attitude which is displayed to others

irrespective of circumstances, even in rebuke.

6. Goodness (agathosune) = "describes that which is, being good in character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect." WEV

7. Faith (pistis) = fidelity, obedience to the word.

8. Meekness (prautes) = that complete faith in, and submission to God which allows an unruffled exterior irrespective of circumstances knowing all things are in His hands.

9. Temperance (enkrateia) = self control; in 2 Peter 1:6, it follows knowledge suggesting that what is learnt needs to be put into practice.

These nine characteristics are exhibited in the spiritual walk.

  Go to Top of Page

BACK TO: INDEX OF BIBLE NOTES