Taking the Oldest Path

     In Genesis 3:8 it says that Adam and Eve "heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day". God walked in the Garden of Eden with His creation. They were in such close fellowship with Him that they walked the same paths.

     I already told you that I often go on walks to think about problems, but that's not the only reason I go on walks. I go on walks to pray and talk with God, and to enjoy the general revelation of His beauty in nature. God once walked with man in the Garden, and man ruined that relationship. However, through Jesus we have a renewed relationship. Jesus says "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). This Way is the only way to God. He is the Oldest Path and stretches from everlasting to everlasting. (That's old!)

     I have been learning that taking this path is not simply a quick walk to heaven, but a long stroll with a Friend. Jesus says that we are His friends if we do what He commands in John 15:14.  He commands us, through Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (There's more to this that I'll explore in a later post...remind me if I don't.)

     Christ wants to be in that intimate relationship with us which we lost in the garden. He asks us to walk with Him. Walking in the Bible is often used to describe how a person lives their life. In First and Second Kings and Chronicles the Kings of Israel and Judah are described by which of their ancesters ways they "walked" in. Throughout the Old Testament there are references to walking in the way of the Lord, especially in Deuteronomy and Psalms 119.

      Micah 4:2 (I know right, Micah?) says " Many nations will come and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." Micah talks about walking in the Lord's paths and the Word of the LORD coming from Jeruselem. The Old Testament closely links walking in God's way with walking in His Word. The New Testament gives us a new opportunity, to walk with His Word, with Jesus Christ.

   Aside:  Jesus and the Bible are often given similar titles, e.g. the Word of God, Light, etc., but they are distinct. However, these titles are important to understanding how we are to live (or to walk). You cannot walk without light to guide you (without stumbling). Passages like Jeremiah 18:15 and John 8:12; 11:9-10; 12:35-36, all tell of needing a light to guide us. In these passages and others such as Psalm 119:105 show us that the Word of God and the Logos are our lights while walking along the Path, which is set up in the Word on the Logos.

     Since we are to walk with Christ and the Word, we should be sure to have them with us when we walk (live our daily lives). So next time I go on a walk (or do anything really) I hope to have these two right with me. (And when I say hope I mean in the Christian, you-can-bet-your-life-on-it, kind of hope.)

We walk in Christ through Christ, by Christ and with Christ. Let's get to know Christ.

-Blessings,
Justus

 Genesis 3:8, John 14:6, John 15:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Micah 4:2, Jeremiah 18:15, John 8:12, John 11:9-10, John 12: 35-36, Psalm 119:105