Walking As Christ Walked
There are two men whose walk in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit places in striking contrast. Jeroboam the son of Nebat is one, and David is the other. Of the first it is said, he was a mighty man of valor, and, being industrious, Solomon entrusted him with special authority. Of the latter, notwithstanding personal weakness and failure, we are often told, He walked in the ways of the Lord, keeping His statutes and commandments.
Jeroboam, although valorous and diligent, turned the people from God’s appointed center; and of those who followed him it is solemnly repeated, they "walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin" (1 Kings 15:34). Of David’s successors, however, who walked after his example, it is said, they "walked in the ways of David and turned neither to the right hand nor to the left" (2 Chronicles 34:2). These Spirit-given illustrations speak eloquently of the importance of heeding what is according to the Word of God. The one who did not, sinned himself and turned others out of the way, whilst the one who walked himself in God’s statutes turned none from the established center, the place of Jehovah’s name.
David’s greater Son (Christ) is the perfect pattern for faith today, and He could say, "I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:10); and to the believer it is written: "He that says be abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6). No standard short of Himself is set before God’s dear children now.
In writing to the Colossian saints, Paul exhorted them thus: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6). This gives us the normal walk for the subjects of heavenly grace. We will, however, mention some contrasts and details which are so abundant in the writings of the Spirit, given for those who share “the hope which is laid up for them in heaven” (1:5). They will show how the heavenward walk is guarded, and yet made plain before us.
Of the unsaved, the Word of God shows us they are still traveling on the broad road that leads to eternal ruin. They "walk in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in understanding, estranged from the life of God;" they walk "according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience;" they "walk after the flesh;" they walk "according to their own lusts;" they "walk in darkness."
Of those who are saved by grace, we are told theirs is the narrow road which leads heavenward. They are not in the flesh, they are to "walk in the Spirit," also "by the Spirit;" they are not of the world even as the Son of the Father is not of the world, and they are to "walk in newness of life;" they may "not walk as other Gentiles walk;" they do not walk in darkness, but in the light," on the ground of the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, which cleanses from every sin; and 2 John 4 says, "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father." Finally, 3 John 4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."