Now You’re Walking

I have not heard of an infant who one day chose to walk, stood up and walked perfectly and never stumbled and fell. Often the mother tenderly holds her little one’s hands to help with balance and take away fear. First standing is hard. Pretty soon a step is ventured. How exciting it is when the baby takes a step on her own. Usually this is followed by a fall, and maybe crying. Before we know it, the baby is a walking child. Walking becomes normal. The mother’s hand and encouragement are no longer needed—at least not for walking. Along the journey a mother’s tender touch and encouragement are so valuable and needed.

As a new Christian, born again at the cross, you are beginning a walk with Jesus. Jesus is not on this earth now. Your faith is in Him. He is in your life. If He were here, He would say, “Follow me.” When Jesus left earth for a while, He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us to walk—to hold our hand and encourage us. “Follow me,” the Holy Spirit calls to us.

This may seem strange to you. You may say, “Jesus died for me. It is Jesus I love. I don’t know the Holy Spirit. I can’t see the Holy Spirit. I can’t hear the Holy Spirit. How can the Holy Spirit walk with me and so many others all at the same time? Do I pray to Jesus, or to the Holy Spirit, or to the Father?” You may have other questions too. Where do you find the answers to your questions?

It is very important that you find the right answers to your questions. I could answer these questions for you, but what if I am wrong? You might ask a Christian you know and trust. What if they are wrong? All Christians don’t agree about these things. A lot of things Christians say will be right. However, you must know for sure. You have to read it and understand it in the Bible.

In my humble opinion, a very good Scripture (another word for Bible) for a new, born-again Christian to read is found in the King James Version of the Bible, book of Romans, chapter eight, and verse one (Romans 8:1). I am going to copy it for you.

When you are done reading this post, please find a King James Bible and read this Scripture for yourself. This could be a first step for you. Take your time. Come on now, you can do it. I’m holding your hand right now and encouraging you. Soon you won’t need me. Seriously, in the next day or two get a King James Version of the Bible and read Romans 8:1.

For now, here it is: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”

Look at that very closely. Your life depends on it. Read it over a number of times. Ask God to help you understand it. Write down the important words:

1. no condemnation
2. to them which are in Christ Jesus
3. to them…who walk
4. to them…who walk not after the flesh
5. to them…who walk…after the Spirit

Think about these things. Take your time. Ask yourself:

1. Am I condemned?
2. Am I in Christ Jesus?
3. Am I walking?
4. Am I walking after the flesh?
5. Am I walking after the Spirit?

If you spend several days on the assignment and can clearly see the picture, and own it, and memorize it, you have made a first great step in your Christian walk. There are many steps to a journey. The first step is very important. There is no journey without it. Enjoy your walk! It will lead you face to face with the Jesus of the cross.

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His Face
The One who saved me by His grace.
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day, that will be.

—chorus by Jim Hill