(Deuteronomy 10:12) And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

(Micah 6:8) He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

    Perhaps you have heard a brother or sister in the course of a conversation say, 'If only I knew what God would have me to do then I would be busy about it.'
    Now while there are many specific and individual instances in our lives wherein we must diligently seek the Lord's guidance and patiently wait for His answer there are also many guidelines given us in His Word that clearly define the path that we should be upon and the direction that we should be taking.
    To declare that we are waiting on the Lord's leading in an area that He has clearly given direction on in His word is inconsistent with a claim to believe in the divine inspiration of the Scriptures
    This morning we would like to take a brief look at yet another clear commandment which our great and gracious Lord has given unto us.
    That commandment of which we refer is clearly and forcibly taught in many different places in the Bible.
    We submit unto you this morning for your consideration that the Bible teaches in plain, unmistakable and clear language that God's people are to walk with Him.
    As the redeemed travel through this life, heading towards their celestial home, they are to diligently seek as their traveling companion the thrice Holy God.
    We would point out that according to scripture it is only a saved person who can walk with God.

(Amos 3:3) Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

    It is obvious that an unregenerate person who is in rebellion to God's commands and precepts and who has not submitted unto the total authority of God over their lives is not in agreement with Him and therefore they can not be walking with Him.
    Also, in direct proportion to the measure of disobedience that a saint is manifesting towards God, as revealed by their refusal to obey His commandments and precepts, that saint is not walking with God.
    Therefore it is the saint's responsibility to walk with God that we wish to briefly discuss this morning.
    There are many different facets or aspects of the saint's walk with God. We wish to mention in some small detail a few of those aspects in the next several minutes.
    Certainly we will not exhaust this subject now under consideration nor would it be possible to exhaust any other subject relative to our great and almighty God in the few minutes that we are to be assembled together this morning or in the endless eternity that awaits us.
    Also, I am sure that there will be nothing new presented unto you during these next few minutes. It only our desire to stir up your remembrance of those things which you have been previously taught.

(2 Peter 3:1) This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

    So let us begin our considerations of God's people walking with Him.
    First, God's people should walk with Him: According to His commands

(Deuteronomy 5:33) Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

(Jeremiah 7:23) But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

    Every saint should be concerned with the walk which they have with the One who not only created them from the dust of the ground but Who also elected them unto salvation and redeemed them through His only begotten Son's redemptive work.
    There are numerous commands which God has given us in His Word as to how we are to conduct our lives, even as to how we are to walk with Him. It is not our discretion to pick and choose those areas that we wish to follow the Lord in. His Word clearly tells us in the above Scriptures that we are to walk in 'all' the ways that He has commanded us to. Note that He also attaches a promise of well being and prosperity to His people who walk in all His commandments, '... that it may be well unto you.'
    Unfortunately there are times when we may think that our walk with God is a close walk when in reality we are distant from Him due to our own sins and disobedience. The Bible tells us, and experience bears it out, that our hearts are wicked and that they will deceive us if we trust in them. We need to measure our walk with God according to His standards and not according to our own emotions and perceptions or those of our peers. It does not matter what we feel or what others may think regarding our walk with God. If that walk is in opposition to the revealed Word of God then we are not close to Him no matter how we may feel!

(Revelation 3:1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

    In the eyes of those around them the church at Sardis had a name that they were alive when they were by God's standard dead. And God's standard is the only standard that counts!
    According to the church at Sardis and those who observed them they were in fellowship with God and they were walking with God. However, a diligent study and a truthful appraisal of their actions as viewed in relationship to God's revealed commandments would have shown that not only were they not walking with God but they were in fact walking contrary to Him and His Word.
    The same thing is sometimes evident in individuals' lives and also in large religious organizations who present a picture of obedience and Godliness to the world but who are in reality in direct opposition to the clear teachings of God's Word.
    We can not expect to walk with God any closer than to the degree in which we are obedient to the commands and precepts He has revealed unto us through His Word.
    Second, God's people should walk with Him: In His ways.

(Deuteronomy 28:9) The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

(Joshua 22:5) But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

    We have probably all heard someone jokingly say, 'There is my way and the wrong way.' And perhaps there are some people who have been so egotistical as to really believe such a foolhardy statement.
    There is One however who can declare without any fear of contradiction that it is either His way or the wrong way, for all of His ways are perfect.

(Psalms 18:30) As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

    When God commands us to walk in His ways it is for our own good, for when we walk in His ways we are walking in the perfect ways.
    When we have a genuine Spirit given desire to walk with God it will be realized and manifested to the degree that we walk in His ways. God does not walk with us in the sense that He is going to follow us wherever we go. If we are to walk with God it must be that we follow Him.
    The way of the world is broad and leads to destruction while the way of God is narrow and leads unto everlasting life.

(Matthew 7:13-14) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: {14} Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

    Because of our yet depraved and sinful nature and our deceitful heart the way that seems right unto us may not necessarily be so.

(Proverbs 14:12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

    Our own ways and the ways of those around us, no matter how spiritual they may seem to be, are to be turned from if they are in opposition to the revealed ways of God!
    There are always those who are at one end of the pendulum swing or the other when somewhere in the middle is the preferred place to be.
    I have heard of people who followed every word of their 'spiritual leader' without ever questioning if that spiritual leader was correct in their teachings. People sometimes follow family members or acquaintances almost blindly, never thinking for themselves if that person whom they are following is on the straight and narrow path what leads to life or on the broad way which leads to destruction.
    On the other hand I have heard of people who proudly boasted that they 'followed no man.' However, the Bible gives us examples of Godly men and women who we would do well to follow as they followed God. It was with that thought in mind that the apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to follow him and also the Hebrew saints to follow those undershepherds which God had set over them.

(1 Corinthians 11:1) Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

(Hebrews 13:7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

    We are to follow the ways of Godly men and women as long as those ways are following Christ.
    Third, God's people should walk with Him: In the old paths

(Jeremiah 6:16) Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

    Today much of professing Christendom is seeking ways to motivate people into serving God and following Him. I have personally seen a so-called worship service that contained elements of activity which were completely foreign to the revealed Word of God. Those who are in charge of those organizations appear to feel that the old ways which were established by the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry are insufficient or inadequate in this modern society in which we live. By their actions and in some cases by their words they say that God is unable to save and sanctify His elect by those old ways and they must improve upon them with newfound schemes and plans.
    Everything that is required to know God and to serve God was given unto His creatures about nineteen hundred years ago. With the completion of the Holy Scriptures God revealed everything that was necessary for humans to live in harmony with Him as well as with each other.
    It does not matter if it was a fraudulent Joseph Smith and his book of mormon, a fraudulent Charles Taze Russell with his falsely so-called Jehovah's Witness or a fraudulent modern day deceiver masquerading as a Baptist, if someone claims to have new light, they are to be fled from just as surely as if they had a most deadly communicable disease!
    God's people do not need, nor should they even desire, 'new light'. What we do need, and I trust what we all truly desire, is more understanding of the old light that God has revealed unto us through His holy Word which has been available unto us for so many hundreds of years.
    By some standards the worship services of true Baptist churches are pretty uneventful. There is no speaking in tongues, there are no healings and there are no puppet shows or any other gimmicks that appeal to the flesh. But, thanks be unto God, if we follow the old ways as outlined in His Word, those worship services will be in line with His standards and He will bless those worship services and He will accept them.
    The old ways of God's Word run contrary to the unregenerate heart and therefore those unregenerate persons must invent new ways that are palatable unto them.
    May God grant each of us the resolution to seek the old ways of the Bible, which are the eternal good ways of God.
    Fourth, God's people should walk with Him: As taught by Him

(Isaiah 2:3) And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

(Isaiah 30:21) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

    No one comes from their mothers womb with the knowledge of how to care for themselves and how to survive in the world which they were born into. They must be taught the necessary things to grow, to mature and to survive.
    People by nature are estranged from God, they know not His paths and how they should walk therein.
    The lost sinner needs to be taught the things of God that they might be quickened unto salvation. And saved sinners need to be taught the things of God that they may be busy about the business which He has assigned them to do.
    It is impossible to teach someone to salvation. We can and should teach people about their need for salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ but no amount of knowledge is going to replace the convicting and quickening power of the Holy Spirit.
    God's people however can and should be continually taught to walk in all of His ways as revealed through His Word. In the preceding verses of Scripture which we just read we are told that He will teach us the way that we are to walk in.

(Isaiah 2:3) "... He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:"

    There are two divinely given mechanisms through which we may be taught how to walk with God. The Bible, as prayerfully and diligently read, and the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood, are the ultimate vessels through which we gain the knowledge of how to walk in God's ways.
    While these are the two primary sources of instruction and are infinitely above and superior to all other sources of instruction and are in fact all that are really necessary, God has been pleased to give us additional tools through which we may learn more of Him and how to walk in His ways.
    There are many books written by God's saints that have been a blessing to many through the years. Also written and recorded sermons and Bible lessons have often been blessed by God as instructional devices for His people.
    We should just bear in mind that it is God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, who will teach us and guide us in all truth.

(John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

    Another point that we may mention in passing is that God does not teach one saint or group of saints one thing and then teach another saint or group of saints something that is diametrically opposed to it. When we have two people or two groups of people who hold contrary positions, both of which claim to be instructed by the Holy Spirit and supported by the Word of God, then we may justly conclude that they may both be wrong but they can not possibly both be right. God is not the author of confusion and He does not teach His people with contradictory instructions. He is immutable and therefore does not change His commands and precepts.
    God's people should walk with Him as He instructs them to and turn a deaf ear to any instruction that is not correctly based on a 'thus saith the Lord.'
    Fifth, God's people should walk with Him: In newness of life

(Romans 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

    When a person is made a new creature in Christ Jesus they are to put off the old man with his former affections and lusts and put on the new man which is in Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 4:22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

    Our walk after conversion should be so radically different from our previous walk that our former associates should be able to see that difference, be amazed at that difference and wonder at that difference.

(1 Peter 4:3-4) For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: {4} Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

    The Master has declared that we 'must be born again' and as a result of that new birth we have new spiritual concerns and Godly desires. We should encourage those new and holy desires by seeking to walk with God and by turning hastily from any walk that would stifle them.
    We have become a new creation in Christ and need to walk as such.

(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    Note if you will that ' old things are passed away' and that ' all things are become new.' By walking in newness of life we are able to daily crucify the flesh and the lusts there of as we draw nearer to the one who loved us before there was time.
    Sixth, God's people should walk with Him: Not after the flesh, but after the Spirit

(Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

    There are many things in this world which are mutually exclusive. You can do one thing or have one thing and not do another thing or have the other thing. The above verse of Scripture clearly shows us of one such mutually exclusive condition. According to the divine instruction Book it is impossible to fulfill the lusts of the flesh while we are walking in the Spirit. Conversely therefore we know that it is impossible to walk in the Spirit while we are fulfilling the lusts of the flesh.
    As much as we give rein (as in the device used to control of a horse) and reign (as the submission to an authority figure such as a king) to the old nature is a much as we are fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. We are commanded, exhorted and encouraged to mortify the deeds of the flesh in the Bible and the degree that we do so will reflect the closeness of our walk with the thrice Holy God.
    As we mentioned earlier God does not walk with us where ever we go in the sense of a walk of fellowship or an approval of our walk. When we are walking after the flesh be assured that God is not with us in fellowship or in approval.
    Let us strive to walk with God in the Spirit and not walk after the flesh.
    Seventh, God's people should walk with Him: By faith, not by sight

(2 Corinthians 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

    Much of the way in which a child of God conducts their life seems strange and mysterious, yea even foolish to those around us who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer. It is impossible for them to understand why we do things as we do and also why we do not do some of the things which they do. The importance that we place on God's Word and our obedience unto it and the importance we place on His church and our service to Him through it are beyond their comprehension.
    When we speak of the fulfillment of His promises and prophecies as an absolutely sure to come to pass event we are given looks which range from condescending pity to outright disdain.
    However it matters not what anyone else might think or what they may refer to us as, be it a fool or a fanatic. What matters is that we may by God given faith walk with the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit now, and by His grace we shall walk with Him in our entire glorified being in the not to distant future.
    There have been many books and articles written in attempts to show that the Bible is true and the Word of God. I am thankful for those saints who have labored with a true desire to glorify the Holy Trinity. However, no book or article from the mind of a human being is going to convince anyone of the verity or truth of the Bible and the things of God contained therein. Our belief in the Bible and the God Who is declared therein is not based upon the logic and reasoning of depraved mankind but rests solidly on the foundation of assurance given by the blessed Holy Spirit. That assurance can be discussed and meditated upon but it can not be explained by any human reasoning or logic. I am not saying that faith is opposed to logic and reasoning, for quite the contrary is true. However, I am saying that it is not necessary for the saint to be able to explain everything that they hold fast to and that is so very precious unto them in every detail to everyone who would question them concerning those beliefs.
    If God grants us the opportunity and ability to share some of those things which He has given us faith to believe and to hold fast that is wonderful. But it is not something to be overly concerned about if we can not satisfactorily answer their every carnal question.
    The bottom line should be, God said it, it is settled and by divine enabalement I believe it.
    Eight, God's people should walk with Him: In love, following Christ

(Ephesians 5:2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

    The Scripture tell us that we are to walk in love as Christ has loved us. I fear one of the greatest shortcomings which can be ascribed unto the people of God is a lack of genuine love as set forth in God's Word. There is a real sense in which we are to love and be concerned for those about us. But our greatest need is for a burning love for the Lord Jesus Christ and a Godly jealously for His glory. If we have a true and Scripturally based love for the Lord Jesus Christ then all the other loves that we should manifest will fall naturally in place. It is only reasonable that if we walk in a love for the Lord Jesus Christ that we will seek to follow Him.
    Nine, God's people should walk with Him: In Christ

(Colossians 2:6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

    We are instructed by the Holy Spirit in this Scripture to walk in Christ. In the same way that we received Christ so should we walk in Him. We have received by divine enablement the Lord Jesus Christ as the sinless Son of God, who was in all points obedient unto the Father. Christ's complete submission unto the will of the Father and His complete obedience unto that will are but two of the ways in which we are to walk in Christ. As Christ was obedient in all points so we need to strive to do likewise.
    There are many other ways in which we are instructed to walk with God and without further elaboration we will mention but a few more this morning as we bring this lesson to a close. It is hoped that some of what was said may be used of God to glorify Himself.
    God's people should walk with Him: In His statutes and judgments.

(Ezekiel 37:24) And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

    God's people should walk with Him: Honestly, as in the day.

(Romans 13:13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

    God's people should walk with Him: In the light, as God is light.

(1 John 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

    God's people should walk with Him: Worthy of the Lord.

(Proverbs 2:7) He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

(Colossians 1:10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

    Up to this point we have been speaking of ways in which God's people should be walking with Him. Due to our sinful and rebellious natures we may not always be walking with God as we should be in this present life.
    Knowing that the promises and prophecies of God are sure to be fulfilled we submit for your final consideration two ways in which God's people shall walk with Him. Not please that we said SHALL and not SHOULD. That His people shall walk with Him in these two ways is certain and it is also certain that it is not because of any merit or goodness on their parts that it will happen. It is solely based upon the person and sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ that the saints will so walk with God.
    God's people shall walk with Him: In white raiment.

(Revelation 3:4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

    Those who walk with God in white raiment are worthy to do so because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did in their place. They are worthy because of the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
    There is a righteousness of the saints which is spoken of in the Scriptures. That righteousness is one of obedience unto the revealed Word of God. That righteousness is a righteousness which is related to service and rewards for that service. That righteousness is in no way responsible for salvation but is a result of God's freely given salvation.

(Revelation 19:8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

    It is a result of the good works that God before ordained that we should walk therein that the saint is clothed in white linen. Those good works are a result of our salvation and certainly not a cause of it.
    God's people shall walk with Him: In the light of heaven.

(Revelation 21:24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

    We walk with God in spirit in this present life but in the life which is to come we will walk with Him in our entire glorified being.
    The Lamb of God will be the light of that heavenly city and He is responsible for its illumination.

(Revelation 21:23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

    As the Lamb of God is the source of heavens light so He is also the source of our entrance thereto. Only through the merits of Christ's shed blood can we hope to gain entrance into that celestial kingdom.

(Revelation 1:5)  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

    May the blessed Holy Spirit grant each of us the personal resolve to do everything that we are instructed to do so that we may in truth answer the hymn writer who asks the question, 'Are you walking daily by the Savior's side ...?' with a triumphant and resounding yes, yes, by God's enablement, yes.