Walking with God-What does it look like?

[Connect]

Hello all,

I have a question that I’ve been wondering about for a while and wanted to ask you all. From your personal experience, can you tell me what, in your life or the life of a loved one close to you, what happens when you/he/she are “walking closely with God”? I mean, what does it look like for you and them? In other words, if I met you or them on the street and you were "walking closely with God" what would I observe? What is happening internally and externally? What would I see in your actions? Behaviors? Relationships? Conduct? More prayer? Fasting? Fellowship? Etc. Please do not limit you answers those above but add anything that you can note from your own experiences. Thank you all for your thoughts.

Connections

 

[CrazyforYeshua]

The first thing I think of, in my own personal walk, is the peace and joy of the Lord. When trials come, I am not one to flip out, and start worrying. I give it to God, and I know He is gonna take care of it, which is where the peace comes in. The joy is constant, cause I know I am His child, and my future and eternity are with Him. And I find with people who don't know the Lord, that is the first thing they notice. I'm always hearing "I know there's something different about you, what is it"? So, that is my chance to witness, and I love it! I let them know they also can have this joy, and nothing and no one can ever take it away.

 

[nadja]

You know that is rather a tough question for some......I am in the process continually of walking with God. sometimes I walk beside Him and sometimes I'm not so close. God is always there........ we are the ones who move away from Him.
There is a saying that I really like...."If you were to stand trial for being a christian...would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
I would like to think so. Although I don't step out the door every morning and yell "Hello world..welcome this chirstian to another day."
I try to conduct myself in such a way that I am comfortable in the knowledge that Christ is seeing what I am doing on the exterior and what I am thinking and feeling on the interior.
I don't think I am answering your question vey well, because with me it is an ongoing process of learning to walk with God.
Yes there is that peace, comfort and joy! Knowing this sometimes ugly world is not my home.

 

[JustAVessel]

Hello all,

I have a question that I’ve been wondering about for a while and wanted to ask you all. From your personal experience, can you tell me what, in your life or the life of a loved one close to you, what happens when you/he/she are “walking closely with God”? I mean, what does it look like for you and them? In other words, if I met you or them on the street and you were "walking closely with God" what would I observe? What is happening internally and externally? What would I see in your actions? Behaviors? Relationships? Conduct? More prayer? Fasting? Fellowship? Etc. Please do not limit you answers those above but add anything that you can note from your own experiences. Thank you all for your thoughts.

Connections

When a person walks with God, that person will reflect the qualities of God. The best "list" I can give you would probably be the fruits of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22,23a
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.

Also, if a person walks with God, that person will "walk in the light." This means that the person, while still a sinner, will actively try not to sin and turn away from the sins that he/ she has committed.

John 1:5-7
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Such a person will also be characterized by love.

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
1 John 4:7-8
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Such a person will obey God's commands

1 John 5:1-3
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands.

I would encourage you to read through and study the book of 1 John. It basically lays out Christian behavior 101. I hope my post made sense. If not, feel free to PM me.

 

[Connect]

Hi CrazyforYeshua,

What you said, was “Peace and Joy of the Lord, a calmness, you have God to rely on, joy, security in your salvation.” Those are great! Thank you for your input. It sounds as though you’re peace, from within, lends itself to a calming relationship with others. Is that correct?

Thank you,

Connect

 

[Connect]

Hello nadja,

What I hear you saying is, you are going through a growth process in that journey with God. You have the power to walk away or be as close as you chose to be to Him. I like the court/conviction analogy you use. There are internal and external factors involved in this walk. What is going on internally for you when you are closest to God? What is going on externally? I know you said, “peace comfort and joy”, what are those? Thank you for the lesson.

Connection

 

[Connect]

Hi Justavessel,

Two things; great screen name and fantastic reply. I really appreciate how you gave your ideas and based them on biblical support. Not that only biblical support of how you behave when close to God is the only issue that I’m looking for. You are saying the fruits of the spirit, walking in the light (shunning darkness), love and keeping God’s commandment like we read in Jn 14:15 “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” I’ll have to look into the verses you posted more. Thank you for the info to look into.

Connect

 

[CrazyforYeshua]

Hi CrazyforYeshua,

What you said, was “Peace and Joy of the Lord, a calmness, you have God to rely on, joy, security in your salvation.” Those are great! Thank you for your input. It sounds as though you’re peace, from within, lends itself to a calming relationship with others. Is that correct?

Thank you,

Connect

For the most part, yes. There are some people that "rub you the wrong way", no matter how spiritual you are, and those people are EGR people (Extra Grace Required). But, I like having them in my life, as wierd as that sounds, because it gives me extra reason to be as Christ-like as I can, because if I turn someone away from Christ based on my actions, I will be accountable.

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

For me I see peace, faith, hope, and the love of Christ in their lives.

 

[Connect]

For me I see peace, faith, hope, and the love of Christ in their lives.

Hi JesseBasset,

What does that look like to you?

Thank you,

Connect

 

[JustAVessel]

Hi Justavessel,

Two things; great screen name and fantastic reply.

Thanks, and you're welcome!

I really appreciate how you gave your ideas and based them on biblical support. Not that only biblical support of how you behave when close to God is the only issue that I’m looking for. You are saying the fruits of the spirit, walking in the light (shunning darkness), love and keeping God’s commandment like we read in Jn 14:15 “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” I’ll have to look into the verses you posted more. Thank you for the info to look into.

Thank you for your feedback. It really encourages me.

On a personal, more emotional level, being close to God is the most amazing thing in the world. I don't know if you like rollercoasters (substitute something else you like if you don't lol), but for me, I get this "spiritual rush" when I'm living the Christian life the way I should, kind of like the thrill after going on a good rollercoaster (without throwing up...etc. No analogy is perfect. ) But there are also times when I don't get the "spiritual rush" in my walk with Christ, and that's OK, too. The Christian walk isn't about emotions. Emotions can change. It's about commitment and obedience.

 

[Rockbysea]

Hello all,

I have a question that I’ve been wondering about for a while and wanted to ask you all. From your personal experience, can you tell me what, in your life or the life of a loved one close to you, what happens when you/he/she are “walking closely with God”? I mean, what does it look like for you and them? In other words, if I met you or them on the street and you were "walking closely with God" what would I observe? What is happening internally and externally? What would I see in your actions? Behaviors? Relationships? Conduct? More prayer? Fasting? Fellowship? Etc. Please do not limit you answers those above but add anything that you can note from your own experiences. Thank you all for your thoughts.

Connections

Interesting question:

You would have to be walking with God yourself to be able to recognize someone else who truly walks with God. In other words, you need the eyes to see and the ears to hear which are granted to those to whom God has chosen.

Jesus was a perfect example of someone “walking closely with God”. They crucified Him.

 

[Connect]

Congregation​

Hi Justavessel,

Likening it to a roller coaster-is it the rush that you’re talking about or the ups and downs? I would have to argue that emotion is always present-it can’t be avoided. I think you are trying to say that “it is not all about emotion.” Is that right?

Thanks,

Connect

 

[Connect]

Hi Rockbysea vbmenu_register("postmenu_26038084", true); ,

You said, "You would have to be walking with God yourself to be able to recognize someone else who truly walks with God. In other words, you need the eyes to see and the ears to hear which are granted to those to whom God has chosen." Then I'm glad I found this site and asked people like you what you see. Can you be more specific in your reply?

Thank you,

Connect

 

[JustAVessel]

Likening it to a roller coaster-is it the rush that you’re talking about or the ups and downs? I would have to argue that emotion is always present-it can’t be avoided. I think you are trying to say that “it is not all about emotion.” Is that right?

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I was referring to the rush. And yes, I was saying that it's not all about emotion.

 

[Connect]

Hello all,

Now that we have established that there are some behaviors that assist us in walking closely with God, I'm wondering how much is dependant on our motives/attitudes/behaviors/etc. that actually contribute to our walk with God? Do we actual play a part or is it only the Holy Spirit in our lives? Any ideas would be welcome.

Thank you,

Connect

 

[bod44]

Hello all,

Now that we have established that there are some behaviors that assist us in walking closely with God, I'm wondering how much is dependant on our motives/attitudes/behaviors/etc. that actually contribute to our walk with God? Do we actual play a part or is it only the Holy Spirit in our lives? Any ideas would be welcome.

Thank you,

Connect

The question is now how much is dependant on us? Well, since a life of Holiness and purity is all based on faith, it seems like much of it is put on us. I once heard a preacher say we dedicate and God consecrates. We can't make ourselves Holy, but we can present ourselves a living sacrifice, and yield our members unto righteousness moment by moment. We reckon ourselves to be dead unto sin and the world and have faith that we are resurrected with Christ into newness of life and then we can say with Paul, I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth within me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God who gave himself for me. I hope I quoted all of that right! Its possible for us to walk away from God as was already mentioned, and so it does come down to us. Are we, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what anyone says, no matter what temptation comes, and even if we feel as spiritual as a 2x4, living by faith, yielding ourselves each moment to the control of the spirit. I believe that when we rest on God in that way, we will live lives of Holiness and purity, and sin will become a thing of the past for "sin shall not have dominion over you!" Hallelujah!

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

[Warrior4ChristAL]

One who walks with God seeks to please God alone.

Someone who is willing to Obey God, even at a great price.

Someone who knows Him intimately and is known by Him.

Someone who longs for His Presence more than their next breath.

Someone who follows the Lamb wherever He goes with absolute and total loyalty to God and His Word.

"For anyone who seeks to save his life shall lose it and anyone who loses his life for MY SAKE will save it."

 

[threeinone]

Hello all,

I have a question that I’ve been wondering about for a while and wanted to ask you all. From your personal experience, can you tell me what, in your life or the life of a loved one close to you, what happens when you/he/she are “walking closely with God”? I mean, what does it look like for you and them? In other words, if I met you or them on the street and you were "walking closely with God" what would I observe? What is happening internally and externally? What would I see in your actions? Behaviors? Relationships? Conduct? More prayer? Fasting? Fellowship? Etc. Please do not limit you answers those above but add anything that you can note from your own experiences. Thank you all for your thoughts.

Connections

I don't think it is something that you can see. It is something that you might feel, sense from the other person. I think it is a very individual thing. I am walking close with God, He leads me, I follow, but I don't wear it on my sleeve. Most people I know of who are walking close with God do not wear it on their sleeve. Others are so active in their Church and in Christian organizations and volunteering, it is obvious. But then sometimes that is just on their sleeve.