In the book of Hebrews, the redeemed of the Lord are instructed to grow by graduating from the elementary classes of our walk with the LORD and move to the advance classes where we shall be able to dig deeper into the truth of the word of God. By so doing, we will start to mature spiritually as we learn to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the author of the Bible; the revealer of the Truth and the Teacher of the saints. I love the way, Paul the apostle puts it; he said, “On this account, let us leave the elementary message about, Messiah for the maturity to which we should be brought, not again laying a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, of teaching of immersions, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And if only God will permit, we will do this.” Heb. 6 : 1-3. The fundamental principles of Christianity are mentioned here and they are essential for our growth in the Lord. This foundational truth must be well known and experienced if we want to mature spiritually.
Our spiritual foundation must solidly stand on God’s principles. Paul referred to these principles as milk that is necessary for the children to grow. Definitely we need the sincere milk of the word of God that we may grow by it. (1Peter 2 : 2). But we cannot forever live on milk alone; we need as well, solid food of the Word to grow. It is written, “For everyone who shares milk is inexperienced in the teaching about righteousness, for he is a baby: but solid food is for mature saints, those who have exercised for themselves the senses that are trained by practice for distinguishing both good and evil.” Heb. 5 : 13-14.
Obviously, the activation of our spiritual senses is absolutely necessary for our spiritual growth. We need the Holy Spirit to enable us plunge into the deep ocean of the Word of God to develop these senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching. The priority of our walk with the Lord is to experience full operation of our spiritual senses as we relate with Him daily. The Lord of Glory said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” John 10 : 27. You need to know that it does not matter how long you have been a Christian, if your spiritual senses are not developed; you are still a baby. I am sure that you are ready for the solid food, the revelation knowledge of God that will keep you in touch with the Throne of His Majesty. For your information, Christ has made these experiences possible and available for His called and chosen ones that are expected to be faithful in their relationship with Him.
In the first case, genuine salvation is a must for this excellent relationship. Having therefore been saved, delivered and filled with the Holy Spirit; we must learn how to listen to Him and obey Him as He guides us in our daily enterprise. It is through this daily walk with the LORD of glory, that our spiritual senses will be developed. Remember that, Enoch walked with God and this act of his relationship was so pleasing to God that God did not allow him to see death. Gen. 5 : 24, Heb. 11 : 6.
So, how does one walk with his Savior? Let us examine at least five ways of walking with God:
- We must walk in holiness.
- We must walk in obedience.
- We must communicate with God daily.
- We must meditate on the Word of God.
- We must learn the act of waiting on God.
When we do these faithfully, our spiritual senses will be activated and developed to the glory of God and we shall be able to discern the will of God and do it.
1. Walking in holiness is essential because the Living God is Holy and He has commanded us to be holy as He is (1 Peter 1 : 16). By His grace when we got saved, we were made holy and sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ and separated unto the Holy God (1 Corinth. 6 : 11). The only way to remain holy is to habitually dwell in His Presence, and not grieve the Spirit of Holiness whose sanctuary we are. There must be a decision of our will to yield ourselves as living sacrifice on His Holy Altar in response to His passionate plea to surrender to Him in Romans 12 : 1-2. As we daily do this, we will start reflecting His Holy Character. The more we hang out with Christ the more we will be like Him in holiness. True holiness is only found and achieved in His Presence and two cannot walk together unless they meet and walk in agreement – Amos 3 : 3. Beware of whom you are hanging out with, because evil communication corrupts good manners.
2. We must walk in obedience to the counsel of God if we want to be like Him. “For thus says Adonai, the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, you will be saved by returning, repenting, and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence and you would not do it.” Isaiah 30:15. If you read verse 16 you will discover that deafness to His Voice leads to destruction. I believe that prompt obedience to Him will keep us under the canopy of His Glory and we shall be changed from glory to glory. It is very disheartening to remember that King Saul failed the test of obedience and he lost the throne forever. His partial obedience did not save him from the wrath of God. In 1 Samuel 15: 22- 23, we read, “And Samuel said, Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry and image worship. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.” Saul confessed that he disobeyed God because he feared the people (v. 24). He preferred the people’s praise to God’s commendation. It is better to reverence God than to fear man in our walk with Him. Do not bow to the intimidation of man but obey God in the heat of persecution of men. We dare not be disobedient to the heavenly vision. The LORD modeled the way for us as revealed by Isaiah. It is written, “Adonai, the LORD, has given me the tongue of those who are taught, disciples, so I would know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. He wakes my ear to hear like those who are taught. Adonai the LORD, has opened my ear and I was not rebellious neither did I turn back.” Isa.50:4-5. So far so good I will continue with the remaining sub headings of our walk with God in my next discuss if Jesus tarries. Be warned, holiness, righteousness, and prompt obedience are essential for our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. May He keep us holy, righteous, teachable and obedient from now to eternity, AMEN.