Walk in the Epistles
Now Playing: How should we walk to please God?
Topic: Follow
The following are some verses from the New Testament on how we should (and should not) walk as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"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)

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:4)

"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:13-14)

"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
(1 Corinthians 3:3)

"But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches."
(1 Corinthians 7:17)

"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, 'I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people'." (2 Corinthians 6:16)

"(v.3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (v.4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (v.5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

"This I say then, 'Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh'." (Galations 5:16)

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galations 5:25)

"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galations 6:16)

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called," (Ephesians 4:1)

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind," (Ephesians 4:17)

"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5:2)

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" (Ephesians 5:8)

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise," (Ephesians 5:15)

"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." (Philippians 3:16)

"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." (Philippians 3:17)

"(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:"
(Philippians 3:18)

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (Colossians 1:10)

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:" (Colossians 2:6)

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." (Colossians 4:5)

"That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." (1 Thes. 2:12)

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." (1 Thes. 4:1)

"That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
(1 Thes. 4:12)

"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." (1 Thes. 3:11)

"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." (2 Peter 2:10)

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:" (1 John 1:6)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." (1 John 2:6)

"And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." (2 John 1:6)

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 4)

"How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." (Jude 18)

"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." (Rev. 3:4)

Portion
Now Playing: What is valuable to us?
Topic: Follow
Often, it has been said, "if your house was burning down, what would you take first?". Well, in our lives there is that which we prize and consider to be important. In our spiritual lives, it is no different: David could write in the Psalms, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot." (Psalm 16:5) He also wrote, "(v.23) Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden me by Thy right hand. (v.24) Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (v.25) Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee. (v.26) My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever (Psalm 73:23-26).

Jacob's two wives, Rachel and Leah, inquired, "Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?" (Genesis 31:14). Later Jacob (Israel) could say to his son Joseph, "Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover, I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren..." (Genesis 49:21,22) How wonderful that the Lord could say thru Moses, "When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the LORD's portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance." (Deuteronomy 32:8-9)

There are those, "men of the world, which have their portion in this life" (Psalm 17:14). But Daniel wisely, "Purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank..." (Daniel 1:8). God does on occasion give us natural blessings. "Behold, that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God" (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19).

Nehemiah had the right attitude in instructing, "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto the LORD..." (Nehemiah 8:10). It is recorded of the godly woman in the Proverbs, "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meart to her household, and a portion to her maidens" (Proverbs 31:15). May we be as the faithful steward, "whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing" (Luke 12:42-43). "...they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them" (Isaiah 61:7). May only the Lord and His ways be our portion!

Forsaking
Now Playing: What are we clinging to ?
Topic: Follow
We have clear choices we make each day as to what is important to us. We have to put His promises and our plans in proper perspective. Joshua began his book by recording, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life...so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Joshua 1:8) David could say to Solomon his son, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; fear not, nor be dismayed; for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee..." (1 Chronicles 28:20)

Nehemiah could write of the children of Israel and the children of Levi, "we will not forsake the house of our God" (Nehemiah 10:39) Solomon urged, "My son, keep they father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother" (Proverbs 6:20). Jeremiah warned, "O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed...because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters" (Jeremiah 17:13).

Of the Lord we have the sure promise, "He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, 'the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me'" (Hebrews 13:5,6) May we not only not "forsake the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25), but not forsake the One to whom we owe everything!

Follow
Now Playing: Who are we following ?
Topic: Follow
There are many well-known personalities who are imitated, often by the young in our modern culture. But what pattern should we be following? When the Lord Jesus called His disciples,He said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him". (Matthew 4:19-20) The Saviour made some forceful statements when He was here on earth, "Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead" (Matthew 8:22), "He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me" Matthew 10:38), "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24), "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me". (Matthew 19:21), "As He (Jesus) passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him" (Mark 2:14), "When He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

He also said in Luke's gospel, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). "When Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). "Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in" (Luke 22:10).

Likewise in John's gospel, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). "If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will my Father honour" (John 12:26). "Simon Peter said unto Him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow Me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards" (John 13:36). "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me" (John 21:22).

We are also given instruction in the epistles of Paul, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Romans 14:19), and "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14), and "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (1 Thessalonians 5:15), and "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God" (3 John 11), and "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22), and "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children". (Ephesians 5:1)

Paul could also say, as led of the Spirit, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1), and "Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost" (1 Thessalonians 1:6), and "Ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen" (1 Thessalonians 2:14)

Likewise Paul said, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1 Timothy 6:11), and "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:12), and "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12), and "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation" (Hebrews 13:7)

Peter remember the One who had called him to follow the Saviour, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16), and "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

We can close with a promise, "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" (1 Peter 3:13). We may suffer for Christ down here, but if we follow Him, no one can take away from us anything of eternal value!

Found
Now Playing: What do we need to find?
Topic: Follow
How many times we lose (and wish to find) something of value: keys, wallet, watch, jacket, and more. Some things are more valuable to find, however. "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near". (Isaiah 55:6) Andrew found Someone of value and brought his brother (Simon Peter) to Him. "We have found the Messiah...the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus." (John 1:41,42) When the centurion of Capernaum came to Jesus boldly, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matthew 8:10) The Lord Jesus loved us so much that "When He had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that He had, and bought it". (Matthew 13:46) The father in the story of the Prodigal Son said "this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry". (Luke 15:24) The Shepherd had "found his sheep" v.6, and the woman had "found the piece (coin) which (she) had lost" v.9 The Lord Jesus has sought us in the same way to draw us to Himself.

May we seek to be as those of the tribe of Levi, "the law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips; he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity" (Malachi 2:6) The Word of the LORD came to the prophet Ezekiel, saying "I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none". (Ezekiel 22:30) The apostle Paul could write to the believers at Philippi, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things...that I may win Christ, and be found in Him...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death". (Philippians 3:8-10)

Pilate could say of the Lord Jesus "I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man..." The apostle Peter could say "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth...Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes we are healed". (1 Peter 2:21,22,24) The Lord was "found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross". (Philippians 2:8) As sinners we may be "weighed in the balances and found wanting", (Daniel 5:27) but we should desire that the trials in our lives "might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7) Peter also desired that we "be diligent that ye may be found of Him, in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Peter 3:7) "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen" (v.18) How much we have to find in the One who alone was "found worthy"! (Revelation 5:4)