A walk with Christ starts from a relationship with him. Two people cannot share company or common identity without a relationship. That relationship will soon be frosty and will be deviled with coldness. A walk with Christ must not be without harmony of thought with the mind of Jesus. A walk with Christ demands obedience, humility, love and dedicated service to God and prayer always.
Obedience
Romans 5:19 says For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous. In obedience, you have to receive Christ to have the power to become a child of God, John 1:12. It is by obedience that we have confession and confession produces repentance. Romans 11:32 says For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all. Peter in appreciating this fact said in Acts 5:29 that We must obey God rather than men. You need a penitent heart through obedience to walk with Jesus Christ.
Humility
God uplifts man when he is humble. Jesus, though a King humbled himself, was born in a manger to a carpenter, bled, humiliated, suffered and died unjustly for us without sin so he could effectively intercede for us. Jesus did not lord it over us but came to serve us with distinction. It is not surprising that Jesus said in Matthew 18:4 that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Jesus wants us to emulate him so he says in Matthew 23:12 that whosoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
You cannot walk with Jesus with pride, arrogance or pomposity. The bible says in 1 Peter 5:5 that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We need humility in order to walk with Christ as confirmed in Philippians 2:3 that Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourself.
Love
Of the three cardinal qualities of a Christian which are faith, hope and love Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that the greatest of them is love. Love made Jesus Christ to come and die for us. Even on the cross, out of his unfailing love he said in Luke 23:34 that Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Jesus commands us to do likewise.
John 15:13 says Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jesus let love and compassion lead his ministry. In John 13:34 He said, A new commandment I give to you, love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Jesus reiterates this call in John 15:17 that This I command you, love one another. No one can walk with Jesus without love. Love transcends all and knows no bounds. Jesus says in Luke 6:27 that But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Service
Service to God is service to mankind in discipleship. It calls for rendering service in the Lord’s vineyard. Jesus said to Peter in John 21:17 that if you love me, feed my sheep. It was a call of service to mankind, the lost, perishing, and needy. The work cannot be done by only a few. Matthew 9:37 says The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. It is for this reason that Jesus sent his disciples in Matthew 28:19 to Go and make disciples of all nations.
Prayer
In our crazy and rushed world today, we focus on individual economic successes with only little prayer. Worldly success is by man’s hands but divine success is by God’s grace. This world is a minefield of constant spiritual battle which dictates the physical. Ephesians 6:12 says we are not contending against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
A non-prayerful nation is under curse and God’s rejection without peace. Proverbs 14:34 says Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. A leader only governs but God reigns. It takes prayer to sail through. It is a Christian’s foremost duty to always pray and intercede. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41, Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.
Jesus never got tired of praying and that was the source of his strength. In Romans 1:9 Paul said, without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. Galatians 6:2 says Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the laws of Christ. Maintaining a walk with Christ entails prayer. A break in prayer is a break with the walk. Prayer strengthens our walk with Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to take up the mantle to walk with you. In your name we pray. Amen!!!
