Walking the Walk
by Richard Griffiths
In the space of just 26 words (in the Greek) and 30 in the English translation above, Paul gives us five pictures of what makes a fruitful life. He uses our walk, our roots, our foundations, our strength, and the overflow of thankfulness.
The first key to fruitfulness is walking with Jesus as Lord.
We frequently speak of our life as a journey and that’s how it is often described in the Bible. As believers, we like to think of Jesus coming with us. Perhaps we find ourselves in a rather challenging or difficult situation. “Lord, please come with me in this,” we pray. And that’s fine – He promises to provide us with everything we need. But what He really longs for is not that we ask Him to come with us, but that we tell Him that we’ve decided to go with Him.
Have you noticed how Paul names Jesus? He’s Christ, the promised Messiah, anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. He’s Jesus, Yeshua, the promised Saviour of the world. He’s Lord, the promised revelation of who God is and the One with ultimate authority in our lives. This is the one who will accompany us if we choose to go with Him. Some companion for the journey!
Paul says, not with Him but in Him. His Greek word can mean both, and most translations opt for ‘with’. But I prefer ‘in’. It suggests something much closer, much more inseparable and intimate. The relationship that Jesus wants is not a kind of “I’m here if you need me” thing, but “We’re in this together through thick and thin”.
So, I’m asking myself how it is going to be between Him and me today. Am I listening for His voice, ‘This is the way, walk in it’ (Isaiah 30:21)? Am I willing to let Him be Lord of all my decisions? Will I let Him into all my attitudes and thinking? Will I walk in Him?
Richard Griffiths When Richard retired from full-time Anglican ministry in Chichester in 2009, he and his wife, Sue, moved to Northumberland. He joined the ministry team at Ellel Grange in 2011, where he and Sue regularly ministered at healing retreats. They are now helping on the "Explore" team. They greatly enjoy walking in the beautiful Northumberland countryside and along the coast. Richard loves seeing God bringing people into a strong personal relationship with Him as their Father and the healing that comes with it.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
