How Then Shall We Walk Series

How then should We Walk?

Eli Black was a brilliant businessman best know for two events in his life: He masterminded the multimillion dollar takeover of the United Fruit conglomerate, and he jumped to his death from the 42nd floor of the Pan Am building in New York City.

In the book An American Company, an executive described a business lunch he had with Eli Black. When the waitress brought a plate of cheese and crackers as an appetizer, Black reached out and took them, placed them on the table, blocked them with his arms, and continued talking. The executive hadn’t eaten for hours and hinted that he would like a cracker. But Black acted as though he hadn’t heard him and went on with the business meeting. After a while, Black placed a cracker and cheese on the tips of his fingers and continued to talk. Several moments later, Black placed the cracker on the executive’s plate and then blocked the rest as before. It was clear that Black was in charge, manipulating others as he pleased. When you play "follow the leader," check to see who is at the head of the line. Eli Black, for all his power, ended up in suicide. Jesus Christ, in all His humility, ended up the Savior of the world. Our Daily Bread, February 6, 1994.

How then should we walk?

We walk in the Love of Christ…

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. [10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:9-10

We are to love sincerely; that is without hypocrisy.

Never let it be said we say “I love you,” but do not the things that God calls us to do.

“Giving no offence in anything...by love unfeigned” (2 Cor. 6:3, 6).

“Prove the sincerity of your love” (2 Cor. 8:8).

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

There are four very practical ways the believer is to demonstrate his love...

1. Love by hating evil. “abhor…evil” Stand against: hunger and poverty, hurt and pain, drunkenness and drugs, unjust and improper behavior…

Show the “love of God”…

“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (1 Cor. 10:6).

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thes. 5:22).

“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10).

2. Love by cleaving to that which is good. “cleave…good.

Desire God’s very best.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Tim. 6:18).

“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).

3. Love our Christian family, “affectioned one to another”

We love our brother and sisters in church just as Christ loves us. We are to live in love, and living in love is peace.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4).

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephes. 4:32).

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:14).

4. Love by placing others above you. “in honour preferring one another”

We must esteem and express respect each other in fellowship.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

“Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:33).

We walk in Service to Christ

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11

Quiet simply, we serve the Lord with zeal.

Are you enthusiastic in service to Christ?

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thes. 3:10).

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).