Mon, 5 November 2007 Did you know that the word “follow� is used 87 times in Jesus’ teachings, while He says “Believe in me� only three times?
Walking is a very popular image when describing the journey of faith and discipleship. The point is that true discipleship is always going somewhere: there is a direct connection between believing and putting one’s faith into action. For the true disciple, it is doing that defines the life. To put it another way, faith is not strictly an intellectual act. Faith is always busy – it cannot help but clothe itself in good works.
What does that have to do with walking? Well, it’s like this: people can tell things about you by the way you walk. That’s because we all have a unique way of walking that is all our own. Some researchers in the Homeland Security part of our government have figured out ways to identify a person by his or her walk up to 500 feet away – regardless of the time of day or night, or what the weather conditions are. They will know you by your walk.
As the song goes, “they will know we are Christians by our love.� The world will also know we are Christians by our walk of faith. If we are for real, people will sense that and see it, too. They might even be interested enough to ask how they might learn to “walk the walk� themselves.
What’s a Christian “walk� like? Check out verse 3: - Your faith is always growing; “more and more,� Paul says. - The love that we have for each other is always increasing.
The kind words Paul has for the Thessalonians says that they’re walking the right way – so well that he tells others what a great job they’re doing in Jesus’ name.
We should always be aware that the walk of faith is something that is very visible to the people around us. Even when our backs are turned, people can tell what we’re about and how serious we are about it. Our behavior, our actions, our words; everything we do says much about the quality, reality, and depth of our faith in God.
What does that mean? What’s your daily life like? Do you fight a lot? Are you a gossip or a mean-spirited backbiter? Or, are you kind, merciful, generous, patient, charitable, compassionate, and uplifting by showing love at every opportunity you find?
God’s hope for us is that others will see us as Paul sees the Thessalonian church: disciples who were patient and loving; in it for the long haul, and very focused on ministry in ways that everyone can see. In other words, clearly identifiable as workers for the Kingdom.
The truth of the matter is that love is the bond that unites the entire church (1:3), and that growth is a sign of God’s blessing, not judgment. Our faithfulness is very measurable by observing our Christian walk. Are we interested in being worthy in God’s sight? Are we willing to follow God wherever He calls us? Are we committed to sticking with this life for all of our days?
The people of our community will always be watching to see how we live out our faith. Because people are different, they will perceive what we do from different perspectives: some will be watching to see how compassionate and charitable we are. Others are interested in whether or not we will take a stand that is faithful but unpopular. Some will be impressed at the patience we show with persons who are a real pain in the neck. Others will marvel at the love we show for one another when one of our own is in need.
All of these things are what make up our Christian walk. If we are truly about sharing God’s love, then we must do it every moment of our lives with focused intention and passionate purpose.
This is so very important to spreading the gospel in our world. Here in
The battle of the day is to not give into the idea that choosing Christ is the same as deciding which laundry detergent you are going to buy.
A quality of our modern consumer culture is that choice is lifted up as the ultimate freedom. So, when we shop – for whatever – we find that we are confronted by a mind-numbing array of choices that seem endless. The trap is that we may not notice that as our choices increase, the significance of our choices decreases. A year from now, it really won’t matter which brand of soap, gasoline, or paper towels we purchased. Thus, our choices become trivial even as they multiply.
The choices that make all of the difference are those with consequences that do matter. Whom shall we marry? What career to pursue; whether or not you will use illegal drugs or terminate a pregnancy – will you be faithful in your commitments? These are the choices that shape the fabric of our lives. Whether or not we choose to accept and live the Gospel is a choice that matters. Those who do choose to accept the invitation will be accepted by God and will enter into joy. Those who reject it will be treated likewise.
The best way to go walking is to make sure you have three things: the right company, the right shoes, and the right distance. If you walk with the right company, your faith and commitment will grow stronger, and your discipleship will grow along with it. With the right shoes – the right equipment – you will be equipped for the life. And, you have to walk the right distance. If the walk is too short, you gain no benefit. Too far, and you lose your energy.
Jesus calls us all to walk with him – in our own unique and diverse ways – together with all who love the Lord and would follow him. When the church does this, the community around us will see us people who are worthy of God’s call and will who have been granted the power to fulfill every good resolve and work of faith.
There’s an old joke that says, “Walk this way.� It’s usually followed by something silly. If we walk as Jesus teaches, it won’t be silly at all… but truly graceful.
Sources consulted: “Gait Analysis,� Homiletics, October 2004; pp. 68-72 Holmes, Michael W. 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Zondervan, 1998); 209-226 length: Direct download: They_Shall_Know_Us_By_Our_Walk_-_2Thess.mp3 Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:00 AM Comments[0] |
