The Christian life is portrayed in the New  Testament in a  variety of ways. The writers of the  New Testament use  word pictures to help us understand. They  use  things that we are familiar with. They take common, everyday   actions  and give them  spiritual application.

One way the  life of a Christian is portrayed in the New Testament is that of a  “walk.”  That is  something that all of  are  able to do unless hindered by health reasons. Ephesians 5:2 reads as  follows: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (ESV) We also read in verse 8, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” We have been called out of a “kingdom of  darkness,” into the “kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:12-14) The Lord expects  us to live for  Him.  The ‘walk” of the  believer should be a one of  progress.

We know that the  way  we  walk physically and the  pace of our  walk  is  different with each person.  This can  be    illustrated in  the  “marathon concept.” Here in Louisville, KY we have what is called  the “Mini-Marathon.” Many  are entered, and  while only  one person wins the  race, all who  finish receive  some recognition.  Some are fast runners, slow runners, fast and slow walkers. Some are on  crutches, some in wheel chairs,   but their goal is  to  finish the race.

So it is with the believer. We are “in Christ”, we are  admonished to “grow in the grace and knowledge of  the Lord Jesus” (2 Peter 3:18).  Jesus  has a  right to  expect  continual growth in His children. But He  realizes that as  we  all grow at  different  stages in the  physical realm, so it is also in the spiritual realm. “walking” denotes   progress.  If we desire to  “learn of Him,” and grow as  Christians he will equip us for the   journey. We  must have  our  eyes  upon Jesus at  all time (Hebrews 12:1-2). He   gives  us  His Word  to study, meditate  upon and   apply to our lives.

We must be  found “walking  in the Truth.” This  phrase is  used  numerous  times in the New Testament.  Jesus is the  great example of One  walking in Truth.  In John’s 2  short  epistles, 2nd &  3rd John both  recipients, “the elect lady” in  2nd John 4and Gaius in 3rd John 4 are  commended   for  walking “in the  truth.” John also is thankful that  others are walking in the truth also.

We want to  be  pleasing to our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus in every possible way.  Since  we have   been called out of  darkness into the  marvelous light of the Gospel, we have  an obligation, yea, privilege to help others find their way to Christ also. “Walking in Truth” will help us cultivate  the type of life  we  need to continue to  grow in the Lord.

Larry Miles lives in Louisville, KY and is a Bible Teacher at Cherry Street Church of Christ in New Albany, IN.