Genesis 5

Bible Passage:  Genesis 5

This chapter documents the lineage from Adam to Noah.  We read about the relatively long lives of the people in the ancient days and along the way, encounter a few famous people – one of them being Enoch.

It is inevitable that when we hear the name Enoch, we are reminded that he was one that walked with God and did not die.

After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. … And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Genesis 5:22, 24

I heard this lovely story of how a young girl told her mother about Enoch. She said, “Enoch used to take long walks with God. One day he walked so far God said, ‘It’s too far to go back; come on home with me.’” That is what happened to Enoch.

While that may not be entirely true, the fact of the matter is that in walking close to God day by day, Enoch was taken up to heaven without having to taste death.

What does it mean to walk with God?

I liked what OurKing’sWatchman said in his posting on Ephesians 5-6.  He talked about walking the right way, walking together and walking as Christian soldiers in our life of faith.

Enoch’s walking with God also reminds me that I am very far from the standard that God wants from me.

So in what areas of walking with God must I improve in?  Besides what OurKing’sWatchman said, there are a few other areas I want to walk better…

Walking With God In The Way I THINK

We are often reminded of what Paul said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom 12:2).

He also said to think of things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Phil 4:8).

I must admit these are difficult to do.  I may do it once in a while… but to do it all the time…that is something different.

But walking with God requires me to think like God.

The battle that Satan is waging now is often on our minds. We are tempted with wishful thinking, lustful desires, boastful pride and scornful wisdom so much so we are blinded to what the Bible says.

Paul said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Stop thinking like the Devil! Start thinking like Jesus!

I must bring my way of thinking back in line with the Scriptures.  And that is why I need to read the Bible daily.

Walking With God Involves Steady Progress

In a world of instant gratification, many are reluctant to wait for steady progress.

Many years ago when I was supposed to train for my fitness test, I was told to start running 10 minutes a day first, and then slowly increasing it by 5 minutes every 3 days.  In that way, I would be able to gradually build up my fitness and run for longer periods.

Peter advised us to, “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18).

“Growing in grace” requires me to increase my spirituality.

“Growing in knowledge” requires me to learn the Scriptures, listening to sound teaching and preaching, getting to know Jesus better and better.

It will mean spending more time with Jesus than I am doing now. Going farther with Jesus than I am used to.

These are not new ideas and we all know them.  But I need constant reminders for this and I am sure you need them too.

We may have used to walk with the Lord and were fervent in the Spirit once.  But our walk has been hindered by Satan and we walk less not more. We grow weaker, not stronger.

Peter tells us to resist the devil.  Keep walking.  Keep pace with God.  Stay with God.  Don’t stop.

To grow in grace and knowledge, I need to read the Bible and pray regularly.

I need to start… and continue doing it day by day.  If I fail, I need to restart again.

I need to commit myself to it and stick with it.  Will you join me in my walk?

Walking With God Brings Great Satisfaction

I’ve heard elderly people say, “I’m ready to go;”

I’ve stood in front of caskets and heard people say, “My loved one’s better off in a better place now.”

Indeed, there is a lot of satisfaction in a life that has lived for God.

One day, we too will go the way of the world.  And there is something we MUST do before we get there.

Paul said, Enoch “pleased God.”

Just a simple epitaph.  But what an eloquent one – one that I would love to be able to have it honestly and deservingly etched on my tombstone.

Pleasing God…

Who does not want to hear God say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Luke 25:21).

Here’s what the Bible says about pleasing God…

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier”

2 Tim 2:4

A Christian’s life is not a bed of roses.  Neither is it a playground with everything nice.

It’s a spiritual battlefield.

Paul reminds us that some are losing the spiritual battle because they got themselves entangled in the affairs of this life.

They allowed things in their life to bog them down, take time away from God… and these things could be our hobbies, our sporting activities, our work, our social life, our… whatever.

We can never replace God with these things… neither can we please Him.

It may seem we are winning if we are involved heavily with the things of the world… but we are not.  We are losing.

I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.

Psalm 69:30-31

We can please God with songs of praise and words of thanksgiving.

We can do this anytime. Anywhere.  Wherever you go.

I know we tend to reserve such outbursts of praises to when we are in Church.

But when you are out walking with your beloved, haven’t there been times you just burst out into a song?  You are so happy you shout out aloud?   The people who are around may think you are crazy.  But you don’t care… because this love within you is bursting to get out.

We should sing aloud more and praise Him more… as we walk closer to Him day by day.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

How do we please God?

We please God by doing His will.

By being doers of the Word and not hearers only.

Will you join me today and say…

I’ll Walk With God