How's Your Walk?
Theme of chapter 4 is: “In Christ, We are United.” Unity and Diversity.
Unity does not eliminate diversity. The absence of diversity is not unity; it is uniformity, and uniformity is dull. It is fine when the choir sings in unison, but I prefer that they sing in harmony.
It’s so important to walk worthy of your calling. In San Jose, California, Luke Goodrich was burning garbage out back of his home and that is against the law. But worse, while Luke was burning this garbage, the fire got away from him. It spread over a hundred acres. It took six helicopters and 400 firefighters to put it out. Luke Goodrich is the captain of the San Jose fire department.
God Calls Us to Walk Worthy of the Christian Life.
Walk In Love. 2
Tolerance says, “You must approve of what I do.” Love responds, “I must do something harder: I will love you, even when your behavior offends me.”
Tolerance says, “You must agree with me.” Love responds, “I must do something harder: I will tell you the truth, because I am convinced the truth will set you free.’ ”
Tolerance says, “You must allow me to have my way.” Love responds, “I must do something harder: I will plead with you to follow the right way, because I believe you are worth the risk.”
Tolerance seeks to be inoffensive; love takes risks. Tolerance glorifies division; love seeks unity. Tolerance costs nothing; love costs everything.
Walk In Peace. 3
Walk In Hope. 4-5
ONCE on a time, certain strong labourers were sent forth by the great King to level a primeval forest, to plough it, to sow it, and to bring to him the harvest. They were stout-hearted and strong, and willing enough for labour, and much they needed all their strength and more. One stalwart labourer was named Industry—consecrated work was his. His brother Patience, with thews of steel, went with him, and tired not in the longest days under the heaviest labours. To help them they had Zeal, clothed with ardent and indomitable energy. Side by side there stood his kinsman Self-denial, and his friend Importunity. These went forth to their labour, and they took with them, to cheer their toils, their well-beloved sister Hope; and well it was they did, for they needed the music of her consolation ere the work was done, for the forest trees were huge, and demanded many sturdy blows of the axe ere they would fall prone upon the ground. One by one the giant forest kings were overthrown, but the labour was immense and incessant. At night when they went to their rest, the day’s work always seemed so light, for as they crossed the threshold, Patience, wiping the sweat from his brow, would be encouraged, and Self-denial would be strengthened by hearing the sweet voice of Hope within singing, “God will bless us, God, even our own God, will bless us.” They felled the lofty trees to the music of that strain; they cleared the acres one by one, they tore from their sockets the huge roots, they delved the soil, they sowed the corn, and waited for the harvest, often much discouraged, but still held to their work as by silver chains and golden fetters by the sweet sound of the voice which chanted so constantly, “God, even our own God, will bless us.” They never could refrain from service, for Hope never could refrain from song. They were ashamed to be discouraged, they were shocked to be despairing, for still the voice rang clearly out at noon and eventide, “God will bless us, God, even our own God, will bless us.” You know the parable, you recognise the voice: may you hear it in your souls to-day!
Walk In Jesus. 6
In the classic novel by Charles Sheldon, In His Steps, the community is challenged to live their lives just as if Jesus were physically living among them.
The attitudes of the people were dramatically changed as each one began to filter his thoughts and actions through this challenge. Needless to say, people began to change. Love and unity became the norm: just because they were walking in His steps.
What a challenge for us as well! Jesus has promised to be with us and to offer us the privilege of walking in His steps. As each of us know, saying we will do it is a whole lot easier than actually doing His will.