“Walk With God”

Enoch was the first individual in the Bible who was noted for “walking with God.” And the book of Hebrews says, Enoch “pleased God.” That, “by faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:5-6, emphasis mine). Note that “Enoch walked with God, which is connected with pleasing God, and he was taken by God without experiencing death.” This last statement should immediately grab our attention. Why? Because as we learned from the Garden of Eden, sin affected the whole human race beginning with Adam and Eve! And it is clearly stated by God that the natural consequence of sin is “death.” So, what was so unique about Enoch? Well, not only was he the “seventh from Adam” which is incredibly important when it comes to important numbers in the Bible. Seven meaning the number of “perfection or completion.” And Enoch was a type, or symbol of something greater. For instance, Jude says regarding the coming judgement of God, that “it was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (Jude 1:14-16). Before I go any further, notice how God views those outside of Christ. I know it is “very unpopular” to point this out, but we must never forget that God is, before all other things, Holy. And that the saving grace of God was not “cheap.” Back to Enoch now. What can we learn from him? We learn he walked with God, which pleased God, which resulted in something supernatural happening. He never experienced the consequence of sin, which was death. But instead, he was the first ever to be…raptured! You see, Enoch was a “type, or pattern” of something greater. God, by this “picture” was saying that those who please Him, also walk with Him, and are delivered from the “consequence of their sin.” And that prior to the judgement of God upon humanity, those who walk with God will be removed, or caught up to the Lord in the air, as the Apostle Paul notes. Now, this does not mean that all who walk with God get removed from the earth, obviously. But it does say that “before the judgement” as happened in Enoch’s generation, those who walk with God through Jesus Christ will be raptured. This is good news, because Paul also says that “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11). And what exactly is this verse saying? It is talking about the judgement of God upon the Anti-Christ and all who follow Him at the end of time. That we are to encourage one another because we will “escape” God’s judgement upon the unsaved at that time. I write this because some do not know the context and concerns which Paul is addressing in Thessalonians. But when correctly understood this is the context. Lastly, I copied and pasted a section below which was the beginning of a different blog post but which I believe fits here instead. So, consider this below:

Have you reflected lately upon what will be written on your tomb stone? I know that may sound morbid. But it does drive a point home, right? In truth, we all have thought about this at one time or another. When we were at a loved one’s funeral, or multiple funerals? Because we all will come to the end of our day one way or another. It may be at the “last trumpet”, or it may be before that. But I know that God has designed all humanity to “consider” the eternal. As Solomon wrote, how God has placed eternity in the heart of everyone. But really, have you recently taken the time just to stop and ask yourself a few questions? If you are a Christian, you certainly desire to hear “well done good and faithful servant” right? But how often is this on your mind, and how often does your life reflect this desire, and how truly would those closest to you say, “this individual walked with God, and reflected Jesus Christ as their Lord!”? Now, I am not looking for “perfection”, but I am looking for “a process of sanctification.” And this is what God is looking for. And why He can expect to look for it in His children is only because it is simply the natural result of having the “Holy Spirit” in them. For any human being who has “God dwelling within them” cannot remain in sin. They cannot remain as they were prior, meaning even a year ago. For we are, according to scripture, being “renewed” continually in our “inner man” by the Holy Spirit within us. Now, back to the subject. Have you recently considered the conversations your loved ones and friends might be having about you at your memorial service? What would they be talking about, what things would they say about you when they go up to the microphone to share memories about your life? Well, here is what I want people to be talking about at my funeral, and what I want written on my tomb stone, unless the rapture takes place first. I desire to be remembered as a man who “walked with God” and that the conversations will be centered around the example I left. Which I pray would be an example of what a life looks like which is completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit. That people would be drawn to a life of prayer, worship, and the Word of God, through my example. I do not want to be remembered as a man who was “in shape” or “healthy” or who “ran.” I do not want to be remembered for my education or accomplishments, or any kind of “worldly success.” I desire nothing but that God might be glorified, and that the children of God might “draw ever nearer” in submission, in holiness, in surrender, and in… satisfaction of knowing the Most High God, through Jesus Christ. Now it’s your turn to consider how you want to be remembered.