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The Christian Walk
The Christian walk includes every area of one's life. 'Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and Man' (Luke 2:52). Our Lord's growth was mental (wisdom), physical (stature), spiritual (favour with God), and social (favour with man). The believer also should experience this fourfold growth. The child of God should become like Christ in every area and relationship of life.
1. Relationship With God. The Christian's relationship with God includes the important factors of worship, prayer, Bible study, love for God, trust, obedience, and humility.
2. Relationship With Himself. As he walks the Christian way, the believer sees himself as a child of God. He belongs to God; therefore he seeks to glorify God in his body and mind. (1 Cor. 6:19, 20.) He gives his body the proper care through food, rest, exercise, and cleanliness. As a child of God, he has a proper self-respect. He seeks to develop his mind and personality and seeks to use his time, talents, and possessions in the right manner.
3. Relationship Toward Sin. In the Christian walk, the believer faces temptations. Temptation is not sin itself. Temptation becomes sin when one yields to it. The believer can overcome temptation through filling his mind and heart with the Word of God, depending upon the overcoming power of Christ, and crowding out temptations with works of righteousness. The Christian should confess his own sins and forgive the sins of others. Sins of Christians are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Advocate. (1 John 2:1, 2.) The Christian's responsibility is to confess his sins to God and to accept His forgiveness. (I John 1:7-9.)
4. The World. Christians are not 'of the world' (John 15:19; 17:16). The world is crucified unto them. (Gal. 6:14.) They 'love not the world, neither the things that are in the world' (1 John 2: 15). (John 8:23; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 2:2, 12; 5:11; Phil. 3:19, 20; Col. 3:2; Jas. 1:27; 4:4; I John 2:15-17; 4:4; 5:4, 5, 19.) 'Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty' (2 Cor. 6:17, 18). Christians are strangers and pilgrims in the world. (1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:13-16.) Christians are hated by the world and persecuted by it. (John 15:18-20; 16:33; 17:14-16; 1 John 3:13; 4:4-6.)
5. The Mass of Humanity. The Christian, in relation to the mass of humanity, seeks to 'do good unto all men' (Gal. 6:10). He becomes a channel through whom Christ can show His love for mankind. The child of God seeks to relieve the suffering, hunger, ignorance, and loneliness which the mass of humanity experiences. He has a compassion for the lost. He becomes a personal evangelist, a witness for the gospel. He obeys the Lord's command, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark. 16:15). The Christian is the 'salt of the earth' (Matt.. 5:13), and the 'light of the world' (Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15, 16; 1 Pet. 2:9). He is a 'living epistle' read by men (2 Cor. 3:2, 3), an ambassador for Christ. (2 Cor. 5:20)
6. Earthly Governments. Our Saviour taught the separation of church and state when He said, 'Render, therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's (Matt. 22:21). The Christian will be a good citizen, will pay his taxes, and will pray for those in authority. (Roin. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-15.) 'I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty' (I Tim. 2:1, 2). When the laws of men conflict with the instructions of God, the Christian must obey God rather than men even though he must die for Christ. (Acts 4:19; 5:29.)
7. The Christian Home. In relation to his family, the believer who walks the Christian way will seek to maintain a Christian home. Christ will be exalted as Head of the home. Teachings of the Bible will determine the basis and nature of family life. Worship, prayer, and Bible study will occupy an important place in the home. 'Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled' (Heb. 13:4).
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