"And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen 3:8). Let us cast our minds back to the time of Creation and the Garden of Eden. Stop for a moment and imagine our Heavenly Father walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the evening taking in the sights and the fragrances as the evening descended. We can only imagine that this was a daily occurrence. We can imagine that He often spoke with Adam and Eve and we can imagine His disappointment and sorrow when they transgressed His words and He had to banish them from the Garden.

The thought of walking with the Heavenly Father is a theme that is brought into many books of the Bible, but David, the Psalmist brings out some of the most beautiful thoughts.

‑ "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me". (Psa 23:4 NAS)

- "For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living". (Psa 56:13 NAS)

‑ "Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, for I delight in it".

(Psa.119:35 NAS}

‑ "Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to fear Thy name." (Ps 86:11 NAS)

However the one that I like to concentrate on is found in Psalm 143:8 "Let me hear Thy loving kindness in the morning; for I trust in Thee; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to Thee I lift up my soul".

Should not this be the heartfelt prayer of each of us here? What a great privilege we have in being able to come close to our Heavenly Father. Paul told the Ephesians "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8‑10 NAS)

At the time that our Heavenly Father called us and accepted us in Christ, He had the power to give us perfect human bodies and minds for our walk ahead. However in His infinite wisdom He saw it was better for us, and for the outworking of His purpose, that we have to contend with the sinful tendencies and imperfections of our fleshly mind and body. We are told in Romans 12:2 "… be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God". This renewing of the mind should also result in the transforming of our character. These changes however are not instant, but gradual and are accomplished in proportion to the faith we manifest and the effort we put forth in doing the will of God.

If we are to be faithful disciples of Christ we need to take time to consider the significance of the office as a minister of Christ and as a steward of the mysteries of God. The words of Paul stand out boldly, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, that we should walk in them." We are pointedly reminded that the main feature of God's purpose during this Gospel Age is the calling and development of the new creature, the Church. The Church members are destined in the counsels of God to be His instruments in the deliverance of the whole groaning creation in the coming age. During this age we are told "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us." (2 Cor 5:18‑20 NAS)

The divine foreknowledge and prior 'marking-out' of the Christian path is well stated in Ephesians 2:10: "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." The Christian's first conscious approach to God is, as the Bible teaches, through faith and even this is a divine gift bestowed by our Heavenly Father. This coming to God is plainly expressed in Hebrews 11:6 "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him." How encouraging are these words. They are not words of warning but of hope as long as we come in the right heart condition. We read in Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water".

Paul sets a good example of drawing near with a true heart. He had realized his great error in persecuting the Church before his conversion and his love since for the brethren set the example for our love for one another. His brotherly love extended to all brethren but especially for the churches he had been instrumental in bringing to Christ. They were his children, and no self-sacrifice was too much in his care for them. The precepts he had given them were good but his example was far more effective. One of the things for which Jesus found fault with the Pharisees was that they told others what to do but did not practice what they preached. So we read "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying,' The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them". (Matt 23:1‑3 NAS)

Jesus however left us an example that we should follow in His footsteps. This example was the most effective, the most lasting lesson Our Lord could give, for he shows us how to follow the precepts of His Father's Word. Peter tells us in his first epistle "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps" (1 Pet 2:21 NAS). "Following in Christ's footsteps" is the true secret of Scriptural living for those who have consecrated their lives to Christ and wish to please their Heavenly Father. He shows us the degree to which we must yield our wills unto God. We must devote our whole heart and lives to Him, and in so doing we please and give honour to Him. All that is of worth in our Christian life comes to us as the result of a union with Christ by faith and as a gift from God.

Let us return to the thought in Psalm 143:8 "teach me the way in which I should walk." How are we to know how we are to walk in the ways of our Heavenly Father. The thought of "Walking with God" is that our life as a new creature is one where we are constantly dependent upon Him. We cannot take a step alone without the fear that we would stumble. The figure of "walking" used in the text suggests something very practical. It presents to our minds the thought of plodding along the pathways of our daily life. Our Christian faith means that we must be close to our Heavenly Father and in so doing have His help in our everyday duties ‑ family, work, or in the schoolroom. It is in these places that we are called to be His witnesses. We especially need our Heavenly Father at our side in the hard and difficult times when we are faced with trials or fierce temptation.

Again, the thought of "walking with God," suggests that we have been reconciled to Him, by the operation of His grace, without which, no one could live in His presence. It suggests the thought of friendship and of close acquaintance. One of the interesting examples of walking with God was the case of Enoch as we read "Enoch, walked with God" (Gen 5.22). We are not informed just how God made known to Enoch His way. We may be assured, however, that sufficient knowledge was given him to enable him to lay hold by faith of the fact that God was pleased with him and that he had the privilege of His fellowship. We may be sure that he must have desired the friendship and companionship of God, and therefore his desire was towards God as we are told in Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

What do we mean by the Christian's 'walk?' It is our journey on the Narrow Way, and how our thoughts, words and actions on the journey, as others look on, reflect on how they see our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul indicates very clearly what this work or "course" of the Christian should be. He provides us with a sevenfold description in his letter to the church at Ephesus. The new creature should:

1. Not walk according to the course of this world;
2. Walk in good works.
3. Walk worthy of our calling;
4. Should not walk like other Gentiles;
5. Walk in love;
6. Walk as children of light;
7. Walk circumspectly.

Let us expand on each of these descriptions.

1. The new creature should not walk according to the course of this world.  "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience" (Eph 2:1‑2 NAS). We see here that one of the first things required of us to walk with God is to change our direction, that is, we are not to walk according to or under the direction of' the prince of the power of the air.

2. The new creature should walk in good works ‑ "For we are (God's) workman‑ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). Although we are not saved by good works they are a necessary part of our Christian development and as our Lord tells us they do have a purpose , "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:16 NAS). The purpose of the works is not to bring glory or benefit to us but to our Heavenly Father.

3. The new creation should walk worthy of the vocation with which they are called (Eph. 4:1). This calling is the highest of all, for we are called to represent the Lord and Master who redeemed us. We should seek to glorify and honor Him in all of our activities and try never to dishonor Him. We are told that God..."has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2 Tim 1:9 NAS). Our vocation (or calling) is to be servants of God and our earthly vocation should not hinder our service to Him. If we are sincere in our desire to be joint-heirs with Christ and to be prospective members of His bride, then we need to study to improve our vocational skills.

4 "That you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind", (Eph 4:17 NAS). We are not to be satisfied with mere avoidance of gross sin and immorality. We are to nurture the spirit of the Lord and of a sound mind so that they may direct our joys and sorrows. Whether we are attending a wedding or a funeral or social occasion we should always act to the glory of God and to put aside the influences of the world. The world teaches nothing of gentleness, kindness, patience, and faithfulness to the Lord which is our duty. He tells us to "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it". (Matt 7:13‑14 NAS). We have to have our minds set on things above, not on futile earthly matters.

5 The new creature is to walk in love ‑ "and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma" (Eph 5:2 NAS). Love must become the controlling influence in our lives: our words, our actions, that is in everything that we do or think. Paul tells us "Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:10). Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed us."A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 13:34). It is the Apostle's point that we so love one another, in obedience to the Master's command and example, that we would be willing to surrender everything, even our lives, for one another. We should be ready to sacrifice choices, assets or our preferences for a few days or a few months or for a few years if this is what is needed to help our brethren on the narrow way. Although these sacrifices should be mainly along the lines of their spiritual interests, in some cases it may also be of their material needs.

This spirit of love controls us and we should extend our love also to our neighbours. To love them means to seek ways to serve them. "Love works no ill to his neighbour" (Rom. 13:10). Love means not taking advantage of a neighbour, love will not cheat them; love will not injure them in any manner. Love would not prompt us to tell stories about our neighbour showing them in an unpleasant light. Love reminds us to "speak evil of no man."

6. The new creation is instructed to walk as enlightened children. In Eph 5:8 we are told "you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light". We become children of light when we take into account all that is just, pure, noble and kind; that is, all that is in harmony with our Heavenly Father's character and Word. These are the things that will be the greatest benefit to the neighbours and friends of the new creature. As children of the light, we should see development in our character, and this light will shine more and more clearly upon the paths of those with whom we associate; our neighbours, our friends as well as the brethren. As children of the light we should not hide our light, but rather allow it to be displayed: enlightening and enriching all those with whom we come in contact.

7. The new creature should walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15). Circumspect has the meaning "to look carefully all around at every step." As Christians we cannot live carelessly, we look around and recognize the various pitfalls that may be put on our pathway to catch us unawares. We have to seek God's wisdom and counsel so as to make firm and sure our progress on our walk. "...conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel," (Phil 1:27 NAS). This circumspect style of life is essential because of the unceasing activity of Satan against the followers of the Master. His snares are both gross and subtle as suits his purposes but they are permitted by God to come upon the new creation to test and bring about growth. As one nears the goal of Christ likeness in character, the tests seem to become more constant and the more vigorous as the Adversary grows more diligent in his efforts to discourage and stumble the true wheat of this Gospel Age. Our circumspection is demanded because we claim to be the offspring of God, a new creature, begotten of the Holy Spirit, and as a result our lives should shine as a reproof to the evil in this world.

Let us reflect on what we have covered:

- We thought of God walking in the Garden. We saw the example of Enoch.

- We looked into the Psalms and David's thoughts on his Walk with God.

- We looked at the purpose of the walk, being taught of the ways of God

At Christ's first advent we saw that the Pharisees were not walking with God. We looked at seven instructions for our Walk with God We can see that effort, planning and prayer have to go into our walk with God each waking hour if we are to achieve our goal of following our Master's footsteps. It will be well worth the effort if at the end of our earthly walk we hear our Master's voice, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." (Matt 25:23 NAS)

R.C.