Practical Steps to walking with God

Works of the flesh must die.

Galatians 5:19-21

19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), 21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

One of the first things to do if you want to walk with God is to kill all forms of flesh dictated attitudes and ways of life. Galatians 5:19-21 stated some of these behaviours that are restated throughout the bible.

Righteousness

2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 John 3:7-8

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Beloved, righteousness is obtained only through Christ. It is not ascribed through any other way. However as we see in the above scripture we have to practice righteousness. Do not be deceived by those that say that practicing righteousness is finished on the cross of Calvary. Practicing righteousness is doing what the word of God says we should do. This is why the scripture says, “Let no one deceive you”. So, in all your dealings you must not be found wanting. You must exhibit Godly approved decency, honesty, truth, and impeccable and flawless morals. I must state here that these qualities should not be circumstantial but must be consistently seen in you. This is not a function of will power but an empowerment by Christ through obeying His commands and leading. How do we do this?

Enter into covenant with God

Hebrew 8:6

6 But as it now is, He [Christ] has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is as much superior and more excellent [than the old] as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is superior and more excellent, [because] it is enacted and rests upon more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises.

Walking with God is like a covenant between 2 parties. Where God is the senior partner and you are the junior partner. But the covenant I am referring to is the covenant where Jesus Christ is the mediator, intermediary as well as the intermediator. In it you throw away all of your pride, ego, arrogance, self conceit and self-centeredness; and cast them away allowing God’s will and desire to rule and reign over your life and destiny. This is because the WILL and COMMAND of God is the content of the covenant.

You must be in agreement with God

Amos 3:3

3 Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed?

You must agree with God in all things. You must put your hand on His shoulder and lean on Him and walk at the same pace as Him. You must allow Him to lead while you go along with Him. Walking with God implies that you are equally yoked with Him, agreeing with His Laws and principles. You must agree with His approved way of living and doing things. Like Enoch, God’s interest must be your interest; His disposition must also be yours. When I say disposition I am talking about character, temperament, nature and moral fibre. God’s standard must be your standard. You cannot be walking with God when you have a standard different from God’s. You must share and have a lot in common with God. Your taste and feelings must be in line with God.

You must be born again

Ephesians 4:22-24

22 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

You must be born again. I know it is an old cliché in some quarters but it is an absolute truth. Beloved, the scripture above says you must part ways with the old man- the unrenewed self. To do so means that you must ask God to remove all forms of deception (delusion) that is the root of the corrupt nature. When we submit ourselves to Holy Spirit He convicts us of sin that we MUST repent of because to be born again does not stop at accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour. The old nature must die too. Your mind must be in constant renewal. It must be ready to pave the way for the new nature. New wine cannot be put in old wine skins.

Confessional Prayer

Holy Spirit here I am. Take over my life. I hand myself over to you Lord. I surrender totally to you. Make my body your temple. Occupy it till Christ comes. Never leave me, never let go of me. Let my old nature die. Let the new nature, of Christ Jesus, the regenerated self, created in God’s image and righteousness spring up in me now. Thank you Everlasting Father for the answered prayer in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen!