Introduction
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NKJV
Each of us is on a journey: the journey toward our eternal destiny. We are not permanent dwellers in this land; we are just passing through. We are daily choosing one of 2 highways we will walk; one is narrow, but difficult. The other is wide and easy with many luring sights & sounds, and pleasures.
There is always a side road here and there to take us off that narrow highway when we are discouraged, when we grow weary in well-doing, & when we are tempted by the easy life. But the Bible is our roadmap to guide us. Both highways are well-marked with signs that assure us of what lies ahead.
It all depends on our choice of destinations. The narrow way is a well-lighted path that leads to heaven where God and Jesus are; the broad way is one of darkness that leads to eternal destruction where Satan is.
As Christians we are following that narrow highway to heaven, and we must be careful that we aren’t misguided into following that easier pathway, for we know the reward will surely be worth the journey. Unlike most travels, we are packing our bags and sending them ahead of us.
But as Christians, we are preparing ourselves spiritually so that we will be fully equipped for our final destination. It is how we prepare ourselves and conduct ourselves as we travel that will benefit us and others all of the way. Ladies, let’s think more about this journey in 3 areas:
1. How shall we walk?
2. What shall we wear?
3. What shall we say?
A. First, how shall we walk?
To Walk
To move at a pace slower than a run; one’s conduct of life. The literal sense predominates in the Old Testament, but the figurative meaning of the word does occur (Genesis 5:24 / Genesis 6:9 / Ecclesiastes 11:9). In the New Testament the word usually is used literally in the gospels, while it is usually used figuratively in Paul and John’s letters. (Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.; Genesis 6:9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
‘Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. NKJV)’ Ecclesiastes 11:9
Consequences of doing so; next verse or 2, advises to walk with God The figurative sense has decidedly spiritual overtones. One either walks (conducts his life) as a Christian or as a non-Christian (Romans 8:4 / Ephesians 2:2 / Ephesians 2:10 / 1 John 1:6-7).
The believer can walk “in darkness” or “in the light,” and constantly is urged to choose the latter; only such a path is “worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1). from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers
1. Walk circumspectly: Ephesians 5:15-16
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. KJV [looking out all around you; cautious, attentive to all possibilities]
2. Walk in the light: 1 John 1:6-7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. KJV
The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it. NKJV Revelation 21:23-24
3. Walk in the narrow way
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. NKJV Matthew 7:13-14
And He said to them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying,’ Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you,’ I do not know you, where you are from,’ NKJV
4. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
5. John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said to them,
“A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
6. Romans 4:11-12
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
7. Walk orderly Acts 21:24
Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
8. Walk in newness of life
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
9. Romans 8:1 Walk according to the Spirit
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:25-26
10. Romans 13:13-14
Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lust.
11. 1 Corinthians 7:17
But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
12. Walk by faith
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
13. Galatians 6:16
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (according to the gospel rule)
14. Proverbs 2:7
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.
15. Philippians 3:13-16
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Having made Christ our all, to us to live must be Christ. Let us agree to press towards the mark, and make heaven our end. Philippians 3:15-16 (from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
16. Walk with a positive and grateful attitude
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17
17. Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (sacrificially)
B. How shall we dress?
1. Modestly — Appropriately; suitable for the occasion
2. As we begin our journey to heaven, we have already taken off our old clothes and put on new ones. We are clothed with Christ-likeness: love, obedience, brotherly kindness, and we continue to add layers –those additional fruits of the Spirit—gentleness, patience, peace, goodness, and self-control — as we experience this Christian walk. – Gal. 5:22, 23
2. Walk in white clothing-. [in purity, in undefiled garments]
