In his sermon titled "What Is It To Walk With God?", Fred Evans addresses the theological topic of the believer's relationship with God, emphasizing the necessity of faith in Christ for true communion with Him. He uses the life of Enoch from Genesis 5:24 as a focal point, drawing parallels between Enoch’s faithful walk with God and the believer’s journey today. Evans underscores that walking with God is fundamentally predicated on being in agreement with God, which is impossible apart from the righteousness of Christ. He supports his arguments with various scripture passages, notably Romans 3:10, Ephesians 2:13, and Hebrews 11:5, highlighting that reconciliation and sanctification come solely through faith in Christ. The significance of this doctrine lies in its affirmation of justification by faith alone, a core tenet of Reformed theology, which asserts that true communion with God is only possible through the work of Christ, not through human merit or law-keeping.
Key Quotes
“You cannot merit the presence of God. If God's walking with you this morning, there's only one reason: His son, Jesus Christ.”
“To walk with God, you must be reconciled to God. You must be in agreement.”
“Walking with God by faith is the only means by which we can please Him.”
“If you want to walk closer to God, you should believe God in every circumstance and every providence.”
Walking with God means being in agreement with Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible illustrates walking with God through figures like Enoch, who walked with God in agreement and faith for 365 years. To walk with God, one must be reconciled to Him—this involves trusting in Jesus Christ alone for righteousness. Walking with God signifies a deep, continuous fellowship rooted in the believer's faith in Christ's merit, not their own works.
Genesis 5:24, Amos 3:3, Hebrews 11:5
Faith in Christ is essential as no one can please God without it; only through Christ can believers walk in agreement with God.
The necessity of faith in Christ for walking with God is rooted in the scriptural truth that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Enoch's life is a testament that he walked with God by faith, and this is the only way we are made acceptable before God. Relying on our own merits or obedience to the law is futile, as true reconciliation and agreement with God can only come through faith in Jesus Christ's atoning work.
Hebrews 11:6, Romans 3:10-20
Walking in agreement with God is crucial as it reflects true fellowship and enables believers to receive His blessings.
Christian life is founded on a relationship of agreement with God, which is achieved through faith in Jesus. Without this agreement, believers cannot experience the closeness and blessings of fellowship with God. As Enoch walked with God and was pleasing to Him, so must modern believers maintain this relationship through continual faith in Christ. This pursuit of agreement also highlights the necessity for Christians to reject any notion of earning God’s favor through personal merit or performance.
Genesis 5:24, Ephesians 2:13
Reconciliation to God occurs through faith in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ alone.
A person can be reconciled to God only by believing in Christ's sacrificial death and righteousness. Scripture reveals that our sins create enmity between us and God, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus, believers are brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13). This reconciliation is not based on our works or efforts but solely on the grace and mercy shown through Jesus. Therefore, the path to reconciliation requires acknowledging one's sinfulness and wholly trusting in Christ’s redemptive work.
Ephesians 2:13, Romans 3:21-22
Living by faith means trusting in God's promises and righteousness for daily life and relationship with Him.
To live by faith is to rely completely on what God has revealed through His Word and to trust in Jesus Christ for every aspect of life. This faith shapes how believers interact with the world, as it involves a daily acknowledgment of dependence on God's strength, provision, and guidance. Furthermore, living by faith assures believers of their standing with God, as their lives are defined by trust in Christ's completed work rather than their personal accomplishments. This transformative lifestyle is rooted deeply in the assurance of salvation and the realization of God’s sovereign plan.
Hebrews 10:38, Galatians 2:20
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