Walk

3 John 3:3-4

Introduction

The word walk is used quite frequently in Scripture to describe the lives we lead.

By seeing how this word is used all through, we learn a great deal about conducting a life that is pleasing to and leads us to life with God everlasting.

In The Old Testament

The Hebrew word simply means “to go” (Lev. 11:42).

Of course what we want to focus on is the figurative usage of this word.

The first prominent instance of this is with Enoch (Gen. 5:22-24).

Someone’s walk says something about who they are:

It can be a state of being (Gen. 15:2).

It can be a consistent direction (Gen. 8:3, 5; 2 Sam. 3:1).

It means to live according to some measure (Lev. 18:4; 1 Sam. 8:3, 5; Deut. 6:14).

There is a comprehensive element here (Deut. 19:9; Lev. 26:3).

God says He will match our walk (Lev. 26:21-28).

David’s example brings some balance to the picture (1 Kgs. 9:4; 14:8).

In The New Testament

New Testament usages are far more often figurative.

The gospels and Acts have many literal usages but none in the epistles.

Even those literal usages are mostly concerning making the lame walk or Jesus walking on the water.

But of course, when there is not narrative, there is hardly the need to talk about someone literally walking.

The one gospel that makes much figurative usage of “walk” is John. He uses it to talk about walking in the light and walking in darkness just as we find that same language in his letters.

We have a few other English words to help us get the meaning:

Behave (Rom. 13:13; 1 Thess. 4:12).

Conduct (2 Cor. 12:18; Col. 4:5).

Leads (2 Thess. 3:6, 11).

The idea of worthiness is frequent (Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12; cf. Phil. 1:27).

There are several measures given for our walk:

According to spirit (not flesh) (Rom. 8:4)

According to love (Rom. 14:15; Eph. 5:2).

By faith (not sight) (2 Cor. 5:7).

According to the pattern (Phil. 3:17-18).

According to commandments (2 Jn. 6).

Walking in the light has several connotations:

It involves following the one who is light (Jn. 8:12).

It involves the clarity the light provides. That is we are walking by truth that exposes. This includes awareness about what is out there and what is in us (Jn. 11:9-10).

It involves a consistent heart (1 Jn. 2:11).

It involves fellowship (1 Jn. 1:6-7).

Applications

What is your standard?

Who do you walk like?

What standard do you use to make your life choices?

Where is your gaze set?

Are you walking worthy?

Is it appropriate or consistent to call you a Christian?

Part of that will mean you are never self-satisfied. But that doesn’t mean you can’t know whether or not your father is pleased.

Are you in fellowship?

When I come home and ask about Rylant’s behavior, I am not asking about every detail of every action of the day.

I want to know, is he in fellowship with his momma.

He does that not only by consistent obedience, but also by consistent reconciliation.

There is a walk that looks to stay in constant fellowship (“are you still being mad at me”) and then there is a walk that only looks for fellowship when there is trouble.

Which describes your relationship with God?

Conclusion

Are you walking with God?

Will your life be summarized like Enoch?

Or even like David?

You are walking in some direction today whether you know it or not. You are getting nearer to some destination whether you mean to or not.

Don’t keep walking around in the dark.