“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
The Bible has a good deal to say about the Christian’s walk, that is, his outward day-to-day conduct. In today’s verse passage Paul reminds us that believers are new creatures in Christ Jesus (cf 2 Corinthians 5:17) and therefore ought to have a walk that gives expression to this amazing inward reality. Christians constitute a New Covenant priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6; 5:9-10), with special privileges and responsibilities the Levitical Priesthood did not have (Hebrews 13:10). Nevertheless, the ordination of the Levitical priests, which included the application of ram’s blood to their big toes (Exodus 29:20) points to the importance of the Christian’s sanctified walk. Today, we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) and in love (Ephesians 5:2) as children of light (Ephesians 5:8) who walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise (Ephesians 5:15). We strive to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). We walk honestly (1 Thessalonians 4:12) and in the truth (3 John 1:4). The New Covenant Priest commits to walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25) and not after the flesh (Romans 8:4). In short, our goal is to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). The Bible assures us that there are rewards for our faithful and consistent walk with Jesus. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,” wrote the great apostle Paul, “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Looking down the corridors of time, past the Judgment Seat of Christ, we see the establishment of a New Heavens and Earth, wherein dwells righteousness forever (2 Peter 3:13). The Capital City of that new created order will be Heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2, 10-27). That is our home (Philippians 3:20); our names are written there (Luke 10:20). One day we will all walk in the light of Christ, which illuminates that unspeakably beautiful place (Revelation 21:24). Until that blessed time, may our daily walk be courageous and consistent, honoring God and blessing others also.
God bless and encourage you today,
Pastor John
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