Gen. 3:8
Gen. 4:6-10
Walking with God
We first walked with God physically and spiritually, in the garden of eden. In verse Gen. 3:8 “And they heard the sound of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” We can see that Adam and Eve were so accustom to God walking in the garden that they knew what God sounded like, walking. What do you think God walking sounded like?
But after we were separated by sin from God, we did not walk with him physically anymore. Then we could only walk with him in our heart and actions.
Let’s look how Cain’s choices play out on his heart and actions.
And here God gives us insight into our walk with Him in reference to sin. Look in Gen 4:6,7 where God is talking to Cain. God knew what was on Cain’s heart. God is cautioning Cain, trying to help him. What does he say about sin? Gen 4:7 “Sin is crouching at your door and looking to have you, but you must master it.” Master it? How do we do that? There is only one-way, walk through life with God.
Lets look on down further in the story at the result of sin. Gen. 4:9 God asks Cain where Abel is after he’s killed him. When God ask Cain of Abel’s whereabouts Cain lies to God telling him he doesn’t know. Then Cain shows God contempt and says, “Am I my brothers keeper? Second generation sin here. Remember, Adam and Eve were ashamed of their sin and hid. We don’t see the same response from Cain. This was an amazing response to God. Sin had ruined Cain’s concept of right and wrong. Justice has become twisted up in Cain’s reality. Even when punished the scriptures say nothing of Cain’s repentance, only that he complains that it is too harsh and is worried that others will kill him. He’s focused on himself, an attribute we often see repeated in sin. So Cain had lost the sense of right and wrong, and became self-centered by not walking with God.
In verse 10 the Lord says, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” Let me just point out here that there is a connection to our sin and relationships with others, another negative result to not walking with God. This example given here between Cain and Able is extreme, but opens to us the realism that our sin affects others. Let me ask you, what others are affected by your not walking with God; boss at work, sister, brother, mom, dad, husband, wife, children? How long can it go on before becomes more destructive. There was a time when Cain had the opportunity to walk with God and after passing it up sin ruined him.
So we need to learn how to walk with God. Lets see what the bible says about walking with God. In these verses you can substitute the word “live” to help have a better understanding of what “walk” means in the scriptures.
Isaiah 2:3 “That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths.”
Isa 2:5 “let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Eze 11:20 “that they may walk in My statues and keep My ordinances, and do them”
Eze 20:19 “I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes,”
Then in the New Testament with more of a spiritual tone.
1 Corinth 3:3 “are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?”
2 Corinth 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Gal 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Although “live” is a wonderful substitute as a comparison, we are aware that “walk” carries with it more action on our part.
Let me give you some examples of real life situations and walking with Christ. In real life a man walking with God considers how he handles friendships with other women than his wife. In real life a woman walking with Christ considers what she wears in concern for her Christian brothers heart. In real life a person walking with God doesn’t air out detailed “prayer requests” or rumors as normal chat but only passes on necessary concerned requests that would not betray the confidence of the subject. A person walking with Christ offers solutions with their complaints. A man walking with God pursues God and other brothers on the subject of Internet temptation instead of continuing to fall subject to it. A person walking with Christ doesn’t have one standard for foul language outside the church and another standard inside the church. A person walking with God considers their “entertainment” and compares Gods desires for our souls with the content of the entertainment. That means lyrics of songs, not making rated R the rated par and in many cases PG-13 achieves the same objection value. Not accepting those popular sitcoms or shows with ual content as the comedy crutch or excessive violence because of your concern for becoming the person God wants you to be, and giving yourself a chance to get there instead of being continually conditioned by the social whirlwind and reaping the result of being skewed in your sense of justice. There are many more examples of walking with God, but you get the gist. I added that last one because I wanted to make sure I made everyone a little mad. But don’t think I haven’t been exempt from facing many of these myself and after pursuing Gods will in my life in many of these areas ended up much, much, much better off. Did I say “much” enough? I can’t emphasize that enough, what a blessing walking with God through life has been.
So what’s a wise choice in life; to go downhill like Cain? Get by, by being lukewarm? Rev 3:16 says “So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Well, that doesn’t sound like a wise choice, but many choose it. Or, are we to choose the relationship that we’re designed for and walk with God and live a life free from the of sin? It starts by repenting and asking God into your heart. Then grows as you read Gods word and pray. Then a genuine concern for God’s desires becomes more and more of a priority in your life.
Listen, when you go to a hotel sometimes you unpack and use the dresser drawers and sometimes you stay packed. Maybe it depends on how long you’ll be there and sometimes it depends on where you are. Like at my in-laws, it’s always better to stay packed while there. Just kidding, I have great in-laws and I got consent earlier to use that line. But compared to the rest of your life, your time in the hotel is a flash in the pan. And considering time on earth our lives here are a flash in the pan. I can hear Mr. Wortman and the Fouche’s saying, “Speak for yourself”. But truthfully they would also agree that life goes by fast. Listen to anyone older and they will tell you this is true. I cant believe I’m 33 already myself. I think the question I want to leave you with is are you walking with Christ? If your walk with Christ consist of one hour on Sunday let me caution you. Oh, I’m glad you’re here, but anybody will tell you that’s not walking with Christ.
Listen, “I’m busy”, you say. If you make the mistake of being too busy for God you will reap the result in life. It’s like a natural law set up by God that falls under reap and sow. Listen, if you are not good at devotion time like myself get on a verse a day email list. Then you at least see Gods word once a day. Start a verse a day at your work. It takes five minutes to host it. We have one at our work place. Find some other Christians and join in a bible study and/or accountability group. Your alternative to growing spiritually is dying spiritually, and life is too short to slog through life with your burdens and vices and never give them to God and walk with Him.
I listened last week as people praised God for His work in their lives. It was wonderful. God is doing great things with those who chose to walk through life with Him. Don’t miss out on those blessings and the central purpose in our life here on earth and Walk with God from now on.
