I have read a lot of
information on the internet the past day alone and this puritan by the name of Griffin
I did share with my
readers before, about a vision I had approximately two years ago about walking
with God. I still remember what He taught me. The walk was not so much about
being a perfect Christian now, but it was more about letting Him have His way with
you constantly, day in day out. This walk seemed to be about a child of His
knowing his or her role while being totally loyal, abandoned and devoted to the
God of all gods.
As I walked next to Him
in the vision, this was after He taught me what it means to learn to live
Christianity according to His word found in Philippians 3:10-12. It was as if
through these verses, there was a whole life to be lived out. I still remember
the beauty of the place we walked together side by side. It was strange to see
that I knew not to say a word as I walked alongside of Him, except enjoying His
presence. He taught me, if one can be
transformed so much in such a short period of time of being a Christian like I
was, imagine what three hundred years of a faithful walk would do.
Then, He showed me that
I would be so changed, there would not be anything else to do or change in me
while living this life on earth, except applying the last touch that needs to
be applied when we see Him.
Through the vision, I could see how much work needs to be done with all of us, behind the scene, through Salvation. It is strange that He left this vision intact in my heart and my memory. This knowledge caused me to have a better idea and I am able to weed out through all that is found on the internet when people are trying to decipher what it means to walk like with Him like Enoch did.
So, here is Griffin
"And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took
him." Gen. 5:24
Enoch was the father of the long lived Methuselah and the great
grandfather of Noah. It is said of him that he walked with God after the birth
of Methuselah, three hundred years. It was a long time for a man to support a
holy life and communion with God without any relapse worthy of notice. It is
difficult for Christians now to do this for a single day: how remarkable, then
that he should have done it for the long space of three hundred years. Such
approval did his extraordinary piety gain him, that when the time came for him
to leave the world, God translated him, as he afterwards did Elijah, and
suffered him not to taste the bitterness of death; perhaps to show mankind what
he would have done for them had they never sinned.
We have many strong featured characters drawn in history. Some
shine in all the brilliancy of martial achievements, and are renowned for the
conquest of kingdoms. Others have gathered laurels in the paths of science and
illumined the world with the flashes of their genius. Others by their counsels
have swayed the fate of empires. And the deeds of these have been loudly
sounded by the trumpet of fame. But more is said in praise of this man of God
in the few short words of our text, than is said of them all. A greater
character is given him in four words, than is ascribed to the most renowned
warriors and statesmen by the whole voice of history and poetry.
There is something very expressive in the phrase, "walked
with God." The Christian life is frequently called a walk, and believers are
exhorted to "walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." It is
called walking before God.
"Remember now how I have walked before thee in truth." The figure of
walking before God was drawn perhaps from the position of those who worshipped
in the tabernacle and temple. The Shekinah or visible glory of God sat
enthroned on the mercy seat. The worshippers stood in the outer court directly
before the Shekinah. Hence the common expression of appearing before God in
public worship. To walk before God meant then to lead a life of devotion. But
"Enoch walked with God." I do not find this
character ascribed to any but Enoch and Noah. I will,
I. Explain what is meant by this figure.
II. Show the consequences of walking with God.
I. I am to explain the figure.
It seems to be expressive of something more intimate than the
phrase to walk before God. We all know what it is for
two friends to walk together, engaged in close and interesting conversation.
And this is the figure by which is represented the intercourse of Enoch with
his God for three hundred years. The figure is well adapted. The hidden life of
the Christian, his retired habit of devotion, his separation from the world,
(living, as it were, in the other world while dwelling in this,) his daily,
intimate, unseen communion with God, are very fitly represented by two intimate
friends walking together, engrossed with each other, un- mindful of all the
world besides, unseeing and unseen.
This general thought comprehends several particulars.
1. When two friends thus walk together their communion is secret. So is the communion between the
Christian and his God. The world wonders what the Christian finds to employ
himself about when alone. They wonder what supports him under trials, and
renders his countenance cheerful when they looked for sadness. Let them know
then that he draws his comforts from another world; that he lives far away from
this, where the changes and trials of the present state do not reach him.
As well might they wonder whence Abraham and David derive their
present joys, while clouds are darkening the world below.
2. When two friends thus walk together, their conversation is kind and
sweet. So the man who walks
with God pours into his Father's ear all his desires and complaints, and
receives his kind and comforting answers in return.
3. When two friends thus walk together their wills and governing feelings are
the same; for how "can
two walk together except they be agreed?" They also keep the same course,
and thus are advancing towards the same
object. So the man who walks
with God is conformed to him in moral character. Benevolence reigns in his
heart, and his open arms embrace the universe. Like God, his feelings are in
accordance with the holy law. He loves righteousness and hates iniquity. His
object too is the same with his. The glory of his Father, the prosperity of Zion
There are two other things implied in walking with God which are
not exactly suggested by the figure.
1. The man who walks with God walks humbly. God will not walk with him else;
for "the proud he knoweth afar off." The whole of man's duty is
summed up in doing justly, in loving mercy, and in walking "humbly"
with his God. The Christian, with all his intimacy with his Maker, does not
approach him with familiar boldness, but is the more abased the more he sees of
him. "I have heard of thee," said Job, "by the hearing of the
ear, but now my eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and
ashes."
2. The man who walks with God exercises a living faith. This,
according to the apostle, was the main spring of all those graces which gained
to Enoch the reputation of walking with God. "By faith Enoch was
translated that he should not see death, and was not found because God had
translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony that he
pleased God: but without faith it is impossible to please him."
"by the Puritan: E. Griffin"
