The idea of a Christian Walk is bandied about in many ways. It most often alludes to how a person is maturing – how they are growing and developing – as a Christian. When people speak of the “Christian Walk,” they usually follow it with a church word like “edification” to say they are growing in their knowledge.
As I have studied this concept in relation to Jonathan Edwards’ 67th resolution, though, I think it is much, MUCH more.
A Christian walk, particularly that of as modeled by Enoch – the seventh generation son of Adam – is one of faith, one that has intimacy with God, and is progressively obtained. Genesis says that Enoch lived 365 years and that he “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (Gen 5:21–24 ESV). Some – maybe many – Christians interpret this statement as Enoch entering Heaven without experiencing earthly death.
As I am also learning, the Christian Walk and discipleship are intricately connected. And it is Christ led.
In so doing, we are better equipped to ask and know the answer to “what is the right Christian response?” when we experience afflictions.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 67
Edwards’ Resolution #67 (in my modernized language)
Resolved: In my experiences, I will consider how I have grown and am now better for having had them and understand the benefits I’ve gained.
The Christian Walk is One of Faith
Unless there is faith, it is not possible to please God. That’s because anyone who comes to him must believe not only that he exists, but that he rewards those who seek him.
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
– Hebrews 11:5-6 (NLT)
Following the birth of Enoch’s son, Methuselah, he is faithful in his walk with God for 300 years. That’s three centuries, pleasing God while in a corrupt and completely broken world.
A world filled with endless temptations. And still, Enoch remained upright and faithful in his walk.
If there is any question to how polluted the planet was, remember that, while Enoch was spared death, God later flooded the entire earth, thereby drowning all of creation.
Also, here it is worth noting that the Christian religion is one that has a God who is a rewarder. It’s unique in that regard.
You see, all other religions have a God who is a punisher, indifferent, modest, distant, greedy. Their gods are characterized by an attitude of anger. Yet, the God we know as the true and living God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. In his grace, he rewards even as we are sinners and cannot do anything of our own doing to bring reconciliation. By going forward in faith, we are rewarded by his loving grace.
The Christian Walk is Personal Communion with God
God is not distant. In fact, he’s personal and relational. He is with us. Again, we look to the life of Enoch, who serves as a model in several ways. In this scenario, he’s a teacher to us. In addition to understanding sacrifice for sin and repentance, he shows an understanding of personal communion with God.
How is a walk like communion?
To answer that, we look to Amos, where the prophet asks, “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” (3:3 ESV). Walking together requires being of like mind. In communion with one another. A Christian Walk, then, must be one that is discipled by the greatest teacher, Jesus Christ.
This is why we are created in the image of God. So we might grow to be like Christ, and to walk the Christian walk.
In contrast, Paul issues a warning in his second letter to the Church of Corinth, In it, he tells us about the perils of walking counter to Christ. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” This is important because, if you are walking in communion with someone, there is a corresponding nature.” – 2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV.
For instance, man does not have capabilities to fully understand the thoughts and sounds of animals, plants or other living things. We might have suppositions and even some ability to empathise with them. But our natures will never be fully aligned as they will with the likeness for which we represent.
This is what our salvation does! It reconciles us to God.
A christian walk, particularly that of the walk modeled by Enoch, is one of faith, one that has intimacy with God, and one that is progressively obtained. In short, we become new creatures.
The Christian Walk is Progressive
Because our salvation reconciles us to God, this communion and syncing with God allows the revealing of his own nature to us.
When he was lifted up by God, Enoch was not who who he once was. He was a 365 year-old being who had walked intimately and pleasingly with God. He was a sinner like us. But he had gone forward on his path in the right ways. At the end, Enoch enjoyed, understood, and loved more. He had received more and could give more. He had grown and advanced his life in all respects.
A man who is walking with God grows in grace and wisdom of God. And that is very much in likeness of Christ. You cannot be in a perpetual walk with God without also being perpetually more able to glorify God along the way.
So, in this regard, Enoch’s life was one of spiritual progress.
Like Enoch, we become new creatures. And for that, we don’t just superficially change. We change our hearts, our minds, our very state of being. It impacts the way with interact with God and all of his divine creation.