Walking Worthy

We exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you...that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)(ASV)

This devotional, about how a Christian should "walk", is by Dr. James B. Chrichton.

Walking Worthy

The word walk is very often used in the Scriptures for the life of the Christian. It is a very appropriate symbol. Life, as we know it, is not usually spent in running or flying, but more in walking. The word suggests the steady, patient, daily living for Christ. The Christian walk is one step at a time.

A right Christian walk, however, is the result of a full appreciation and appropriation of our blessing and position in Christ. We do not walk in order to become worthy, but because we have been made worthy by Him (Col. 1:12). A prince does not live like a prince in order to become one, but because he is one. Even so a Christian walks like a Christian, not to become one, but because he is a Christian. His conduct is influenced by his appreciation of his position on Christ.

Thrice in this Epistle to the Thessalonians Paul speaks of the Christian walk--2:12, 4:1, 4:12. What, therefore, is the worthy walk to which Paul exhorted the believers?

• The Walk is in Faith--Its Principle--Rom. 4:12
• The Walk is in the Spirit--Its Power--Gal. 5:16
• The Walk is in Good Works--Its Practice--Eph. 2:10

A visitor was once watching a group of slaves, slouching and shuffling off to their work. One tall, broad-shouldered fellow strode on, head erect and with the gait of a man. "How's that?" the visitor asked. "Oh, he's the son of an African king," was the reply. "He never forgets that." Alas! we forget, amid the drudgeries of earth, that we are sons and daughters of the King of kings.

"It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23)
"Order my steps in thy word" (Ps. 119:133)