HINDRANCES TO WALKING WITH GOD – Gen.6: 1-22; 7: 1-24; Lk.17: 26-30
Enoch was the first man mentioned in the Bible to ever walk with God. Noah was another man who walked with God. We surely have some great lessons to learn from the life of Noah because the Lord Jesus Christ likened our time – the end-time to the time of Noah and Lot. The life of Noah (and also Lot) show us certain hindrances to walking with God but if Noah could walk with God in his generation despite these hindrances, we can walk with Him in our time too.
1. The Problem of Large Population and Widespread Sin:
Generally, sin hinders our walk with God. At the time of Noah, the whole world was full of sin and corruption that only Noah was perfect and just before God. Sodom & Gomorrah also were so vile and corrupt that only Lot was fit for rescue with his family.
Large number can be deceptive! Men turned the blessing of God (in increasing and
multiplying them – Gen.1: 28) against Him. The world now like the time of Noah is facing the problem of overpopulation. It is not easy to manage growth or success e.g. the Rich Fool – Lk.12: 16-21 & Early Church – Acts 6: 1; Ps.62: 10. Let us multiply for God and be rich toward Him and not against Him – Prov.29: 16. That was the problem at Babel also. Any idea at all, like infectious diseases spread faster in densely populated cities. We must be careful! The fact that everybody does something or majority of believers accept certain behaviors or practices does not make them right (Exod.23: 2). We must not conform to the world in any way but be transformed by renewing our minds – Rom.12: 1-2. Like Noah, our life must testify for God against the world.
2. The Problem of Unequal Yoke, Sexual immorality & Perversion:
Here we see for the 1st time, a strange form of mixed marriage between fallen angels or demonic beings and daughters of men. This in itself broke the law of procreation as God’s command and blessing was that everything should bring forth fruits after its kind – Gen.1: 21-28. Then, it is an unequal yoke forbidden by God – Exod.34: 12-16; Deut.7: 3-4; 2Cor.6: 14-18. It was also a form of sexual perversion the products of which were depraved giants or supernatural beings that were half human and half demons. God forbids such cross-breeding and mixed-cropping – Lev.19:19. Angels don’t even procreate in the first place but these demons needed human bodies to express their depravity and lawlessness.
So, God decided to wipe out that entire generation except Noah and his family who were not involved in such perversion and pollution. The Bible already prophesied in 2Tim.3: 13 that in the end-times, men shall wax worse in seduction and evil, and that is already happening. All manner of sexual perversions unheard of in the past are now common place in the society – prostitution, rape, orgies, husband/wife swap, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, transgender, baby-sale, etc. As we near the end and begin to see a repeat of the events of the time of Noah and Lot, we must make every effort to keep ourselves pure as enjoined in scripture – 1Tim.5: 22. We must flee all forms of sexual immorality – 2Cor.6:18-20.
3. The Problem of Idolatry:
Idolatry is a sin that provokes God so, the Bible warns us to flee from it – Exod.20: 1-
5; 34: 14; 1Cor.10: 14. God commanded the Israelites not to marry the Canaanites in the first place to prevent idolatry – Exod.34: 17; 1Kg.11: 1-4. We must understand the fact that in every form of idolatry, beyond the material objects that men worship is
‘spiritism’. According to Paul (1Cor.8: 4), the material idol in itself is nothing, it is
these fallen angels or demons behind these material objects that seek for worship from men. And that is what God forbids. (Please, take note that true angels of God don’t accept worship from men).
Idolatry and sexual immorality are related and usually intertwined. That is why idolatry
is always referred to in scripture as spiritual adultery e.g. the classical parable of Aholah and Aholibah representing Samaria and Jerusalem in Ezekiel 23. An unfaithful Christian who dabbles into idolatry (directly or indirectly) is like a whore or an unfaithful wife!
There is doctrinal seduction also that lures people into what the Bible calls the doctrines of devils – 2Tim.3: 13; 1Tim.4: 1-2. We must shun every form of unfaithfulness and avoid every deception and anything that could remove us from the narrow way or make us stray away from God and His word. We must hold on firmly to the wholesome truth of the word of God to the end – Eph.4: 11-15; Gal.1: 8-9; 2Tim.2: 2. We must be committed, dedicated and faithful to God to the end of our lifetime. Psalm 48: 14
should always be our watchword and song!
4. The Problem of Unbelief or Lack of Faith in God:
Hebrews 11: 6 clearly declares that, “…without faith it is impossible to please Him”. And we know that throughout the Bible and in history, all those who walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. It is therefore obvious that Noah was a man of faith. While the entire world around him sank in unbelief and ungodliness, he believed God. Noah believed God and His sure word of impending judgment by flood and warned the people around him but they would not heed his warning. In faith, he obeyed God and constructed the Ark from the scratch till he finished it against the odds of cruel mocking of ungodly men around him. In faith, Noah obeyed God and carefully selected every species of animals and birds – two by two; male and female, and eventually moved into the Ark after it was completed.
Meanwhile, the unbelievers around him did not believe God and His warning through Noah until the flood came and destroyed them all. Truly, it is not impossible to walk with God or please Him without faith. We therefore have no option in life than to always believe God and His word irrespective of our feelings and experience. It doesn’t matter really, the level of unbelief in the world now; we must hold tightly to God and His word and never allow our faith in God to waiver at anytime. And without any doubt, the fruit of faith is obedience to God. If we believe God like Noah; we would also obey God like Noah!
We would be patient like him also because Noah was patient in constructing the Ark; he patiently selected all the animals and birds – two by two, male and female. He patiently endured the rain that lasted 40 days and 40 nights, and waited patiently for another 3 months until the water subsided before coming out of the Ark. Surely, we cannot walk with God without faith and patience for, you show your faith by patience!
#WalkingWithGod1-3 #Revealed by An Envoy #Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you this week
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Tuesday, August 08, 2017
IMPLICATIONS OF WALKING WITH GOD
Few days ago, using Enoch as a study we understood what it means/entails in walking with God; shortly we shall look at the implications of walking with God, but firstly, we should understand that God desires all of His children to walk with Him.
Walking with God connotes friendship with God as only friends walk together
When friends walk together they talk and share with each other
This goes beyond coming to Church every Sunday or any meeting or programme at all
Walking with a close friend requires separating oneself from the company of other people or things that may distract or are in opposition – Ps.1: 1-3; 2Cor.6: 14-18
Walking with a friend also requires agreement and over time having things in common
– Amos 3: 3
Walking with God implies being like Him– Ps.42:7; Matt.5:48
Walking with God means aligning our will with His –Matt.6:10; 26:42; Rom8:29
Biblically, "walking," refers to a lifestyle as one can walk in the ways of the world –2Kg.8: 27; Eph.2: 2; Col.3: 7
Walking with God is also walking in the Spirit – Gal.5: 16; Rom.8: 4
Walking with God implies overcoming the flesh - Rom.8: 5-8
Walking with God means we choose to glorify Him in every way we can, regardless of personal cost – Matt.16: 24; 1Cor.10: 31
It is not difficult to identify people who walk with God. Their lives are a contrast to the world around them, they shine like stars in a nighttime sky – Phil.2:15
Those who walk with God produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5: 22) and not the works of the flesh (Gal.5: 19-21)
When we walk with God every day, the world cannot help but recognize that we have been with Jesus, in spite of our imperfections and lack of knowledge in some areas e.g.Peter & John – Acts 4:13
No doubts, God bless those who walk with Him
#TheseImplications #YourLifestyle
#Communion #Fellowship #Partnership #SharingTogether
Enjoy the rest of the week.. Shalom!!
Up Next #HindrancesOfWalkingWithGod
Walking with God connotes friendship with God as only friends walk together
When friends walk together they talk and share with each other
This goes beyond coming to Church every Sunday or any meeting or programme at all
Walking with a close friend requires separating oneself from the company of other people or things that may distract or are in opposition – Ps.1: 1-3; 2Cor.6: 14-18
Walking with a friend also requires agreement and over time having things in common
– Amos 3: 3
Walking with God implies being like Him– Ps.42:7; Matt.5:48
Walking with God means aligning our will with His –Matt.6:10; 26:42; Rom8:29
Biblically, "walking," refers to a lifestyle as one can walk in the ways of the world –2Kg.8: 27; Eph.2: 2; Col.3: 7
Walking with God is also walking in the Spirit – Gal.5: 16; Rom.8: 4
Walking with God implies overcoming the flesh - Rom.8: 5-8
Walking with God means we choose to glorify Him in every way we can, regardless of personal cost – Matt.16: 24; 1Cor.10: 31
It is not difficult to identify people who walk with God. Their lives are a contrast to the world around them, they shine like stars in a nighttime sky – Phil.2:15
Those who walk with God produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5: 22) and not the works of the flesh (Gal.5: 19-21)
When we walk with God every day, the world cannot help but recognize that we have been with Jesus, in spite of our imperfections and lack of knowledge in some areas e.g.Peter & John – Acts 4:13
No doubts, God bless those who walk with Him
#TheseImplications #YourLifestyle
#Communion #Fellowship #Partnership #SharingTogether
Enjoy the rest of the week.. Shalom!!
Up Next #HindrancesOfWalkingWithGod
Friday, August 04, 2017
WALKING WITH GOD- ENOCH
"Enoch walked with God" (Genesis 5:24).
Enoch’s walk implies that he went up and down, in and out, to and fro, arm in arm with God, always talking with Him, growing closer and growing more like Him.
Enoch did not start to walk with God until he gave birth to Methuselah. That means, he lived a portion of his life without walking with God. What portion of your life has been wasted and how much more do you still want to waste before you start to walk with God?
Enoch could have started his walk with God earlier before having his 1st born. What if he never had any child? How many wrong goals have you set for yourself, saying, “Until I have done this or that” before you start to walk with God? – Jam.4:13-15
Enoch had other children after bearing Methuselah. Look around you – those who don’t
serve God are not usually better off in the end.
Enoch gave birth to Methuselah. Whereas Enoch lived for 365years and walked with God, Methuselah lived for 969years without any mention of his relationship with God or any tangible achievements than having children. Enoch’s life and walk with God proved that it is not how long we live that matters to God but how well.
Enoch lived for 365 years. Enoch’s 365 years like 365 days represent a typical “year” of our years. He lived a full and fulfilling life. We can live full and fulfilling lives too. And if we so desire, we also can live for 365 days each year walking hand in hand with God like Enoch.
Enoch was translated out of life. Like Enoch, those who walk closely with God are translated out of Satan's reach. They are taken out of his kingdom of darkness and put into Christ's kingdom of light:
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col.1:13).
Enoch pleased God in the midst of a wicked, crooked and perverse society. All around Enoch, mankind grew increasingly ungodly. Yet as men changed into wild beasts full of lust and ungodliness, Enoch became more and more like the One with whom he walked.
He was a man of like passion as we are, an ordinary man with similar problems and
challenges, not an isolated hermit hidden away in a cave in the forest or wilderness. He
was involved in everyday life with family, friends and neighbours.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" – Genesis 5:24
Although, this verse actually speaks of Enoch's translation, the fact that he did not taste
death. But there is more to it. That phrase, ‘he was not’, also means, “he was not worldly” or “he was not of this world.” Practically speaking, Enoch was not part of this wicked world. Each day as he walked with the Lord he became less attached to the things of this world but set his affection on things above. Like Paul, he died daily to this earthly life and he was taken up in the spirit to a heavenly realm.
However, while on earth, Enoch was responsible, caring for his family, working,
ministering, etc. But "he was not" – i.e not earthbound. None of the demands of this life
kept him from his walk with God.
Hebrews 11:5 testifies clearly that Enoch pleased God. How? His walk with God
produced in him the kind of faith God loves because Hebrews 11: 6 says, “But without
faith it is impossible to please him”. Throughout the Bible and in history, all those who
walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. We cannot walk
with God without faith and true faith pleases God.
“By faith Enoch was translated…” Heb.11: 5.
This is a great truth! All of Enoch's faith and desire to be with the Lord; And God granted his heart desire and translated him according to his faith. Enoch could no longer stay away from the Lord. So, God took him straight to be with Him.
Enoch had no Bible, no hymn book, no fellow church member, no teacher; no indwelling Holy Spirit and he did not speak with tongues. But he knew God and walked with Him.
"… He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" – Hebrews 11:6.
Enoch believed God was a Rewarder and his faith pleased God.
How God reward his faithful followers and friends who believe and walk with Him:
1. Friends share secrets (Gen.18:17; Amos 3:7). When we walk with the Lord in the light of His presence and word, we have guidance, direction, discernment and revelation. God helps us to know things supernaturally.
2. God controls the lives of those who walk with Him (Jn.14: 23). Satan has no real control over those who daily walk and talk with Christ (Rom.8:1).
3. Walk with God gives us divine protection from all the attacks of the enemy – Ps.91:1; Isa.54: 17; Lk.10: 19.
4. Above all, that you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh Gal 5:16
#WalkingWithGodRevealed
#UpNextImplicationsOfWalkingWithGod
Enoch’s walk implies that he went up and down, in and out, to and fro, arm in arm with God, always talking with Him, growing closer and growing more like Him.
Enoch did not start to walk with God until he gave birth to Methuselah. That means, he lived a portion of his life without walking with God. What portion of your life has been wasted and how much more do you still want to waste before you start to walk with God?
Enoch could have started his walk with God earlier before having his 1st born. What if he never had any child? How many wrong goals have you set for yourself, saying, “Until I have done this or that” before you start to walk with God? – Jam.4:13-15
Enoch had other children after bearing Methuselah. Look around you – those who don’t
serve God are not usually better off in the end.
Enoch gave birth to Methuselah. Whereas Enoch lived for 365years and walked with God, Methuselah lived for 969years without any mention of his relationship with God or any tangible achievements than having children. Enoch’s life and walk with God proved that it is not how long we live that matters to God but how well.
Enoch lived for 365 years. Enoch’s 365 years like 365 days represent a typical “year” of our years. He lived a full and fulfilling life. We can live full and fulfilling lives too. And if we so desire, we also can live for 365 days each year walking hand in hand with God like Enoch.
Enoch was translated out of life. Like Enoch, those who walk closely with God are translated out of Satan's reach. They are taken out of his kingdom of darkness and put into Christ's kingdom of light:
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col.1:13).
Enoch pleased God in the midst of a wicked, crooked and perverse society. All around Enoch, mankind grew increasingly ungodly. Yet as men changed into wild beasts full of lust and ungodliness, Enoch became more and more like the One with whom he walked.
He was a man of like passion as we are, an ordinary man with similar problems and
challenges, not an isolated hermit hidden away in a cave in the forest or wilderness. He
was involved in everyday life with family, friends and neighbours.
"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" – Genesis 5:24
Although, this verse actually speaks of Enoch's translation, the fact that he did not taste
death. But there is more to it. That phrase, ‘he was not’, also means, “he was not worldly” or “he was not of this world.” Practically speaking, Enoch was not part of this wicked world. Each day as he walked with the Lord he became less attached to the things of this world but set his affection on things above. Like Paul, he died daily to this earthly life and he was taken up in the spirit to a heavenly realm.
However, while on earth, Enoch was responsible, caring for his family, working,
ministering, etc. But "he was not" – i.e not earthbound. None of the demands of this life
kept him from his walk with God.
Hebrews 11:5 testifies clearly that Enoch pleased God. How? His walk with God
produced in him the kind of faith God loves because Hebrews 11: 6 says, “But without
faith it is impossible to please him”. Throughout the Bible and in history, all those who
walked closely with God have always been men and women of faith. We cannot walk
with God without faith and true faith pleases God.
“By faith Enoch was translated…” Heb.11: 5.
This is a great truth! All of Enoch's faith and desire to be with the Lord; And God granted his heart desire and translated him according to his faith. Enoch could no longer stay away from the Lord. So, God took him straight to be with Him.
Enoch had no Bible, no hymn book, no fellow church member, no teacher; no indwelling Holy Spirit and he did not speak with tongues. But he knew God and walked with Him.
"… He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" – Hebrews 11:6.
Enoch believed God was a Rewarder and his faith pleased God.
How God reward his faithful followers and friends who believe and walk with Him:
1. Friends share secrets (Gen.18:17; Amos 3:7). When we walk with the Lord in the light of His presence and word, we have guidance, direction, discernment and revelation. God helps us to know things supernaturally.
2. God controls the lives of those who walk with Him (Jn.14: 23). Satan has no real control over those who daily walk and talk with Christ (Rom.8:1).
3. Walk with God gives us divine protection from all the attacks of the enemy – Ps.91:1; Isa.54: 17; Lk.10: 19.
4. Above all, that you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh Gal 5:16
#WalkingWithGodRevealed
#UpNextImplicationsOfWalkingWithGod
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