The theme for our messages in this year, The Deeper Christian Life of Walking with God, is based on the fact that those who were of great faith and accomplished much in the kingdom of God were many of those who the Bible spoke of as having a testimony of "walking with God".  The main thing and the most obvious thing about walking with someone, is that you must be in their presence in order to walk with them.  It is a physical impossibility to walk with someone, and not be in their presence.

 

But if you are "walking with" someone, that gives you the opportunities to have a much richer encounter and relationship, in which to experience and get to know that person.  It places you in the unique position of being able to readily converse with them, to participate in whatever activities they are involved in, to learn and develop a much deeper, intimate relationship and knowledge of them, and to more easily receive encouragement and support from them.

 

I believe God wants to do more in our churches, in our homes, in our communities, but even more so in our own lives than he has been allowed to do in the past.  I believe He is limited only due to the poor fellowship He has with those of us who say we are called by His name. We have not truly sought to know and walk with Him with all our hearts on a consistent basis.  

 

He cannot and will not compromise His holiness, righteousness or His standards in order to accommodate our lack of love and faithfulness to Him.  He will pursue us in love, but will not force an intimate relationship that is not reciprocated on our part.  He remains on holy ground, we must turn to Him and draw neigh to Him.  II Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect (totally committed ) towards Him."

 

I believe when "the church" (each individual member of the body of Christ) becomes more and more (totally) committed to the Kingdom of God and it's righteousness, then we will find that a closer walk with God is an automatic results of that kind of life style.   

 

I believe that the foundation to understanding how to develop this deeper Christian life style of walking with God, is to first understand that God is a holy, righteous, covenant-keeping God. 

 

Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." 

 

The question might come to mind, "What covenant(s) is He keeping with us, or are we even included in any covenants today that God might have made such a long time ago?  If we truly understand the covenants that God has committed Himself to (especially the Second Covenant, the "Better Covenant") then we can understand how a closer, deeper life of walking with God is not only possible, but is guaranteed, if we are only faithful in trusting Him in all things.