Life is a journey
We all walk different paths that intersect with others from time to time. It is at those intersections that life becomes interesting.
When we look at this life journey as Christians, we see different paths, including the spiritual paths that lead us to God through Jesus Christ. Whether we are a Christian or not, our walk begins when we are born and continues through our life. The choices we make at the crossroads of life determine the final destination.
In my studies of the Bible I have identified five distinct paths that I call “Salvation Road.”
Walking in Sin
The first path is the same for all mankind. It’s the path we tread from the day we are born until we begin to seek Christ, and is the Path of Sin where people are walking 'without' Christ. Everyone is born under sin in this world and all people are in need of a Saviour.
Some never exit this path. They continue on it their whole lives, despite God bringing everyone to a place of choice, to seek God or not. At some point in life, (there may be many), people come to a fork in the road and must choose: do I follow Christ or reject Him? If they reject Him, they will never get off this first path.
Walking in Hope
The second path begins when a person starts to question this life, seeking something better. They may ask, “Is this it?” “Is there more to this life?” “Why do I not feel fulfilled?” “Something is missing in my life.”
When people begin to question and seek, the Lord offers opportunities for them to find Him. They still may influenced by Satan to reject Christ while they are weak, because Satan is the enemy always opposing the work of God.
But many DO choose the path of Christ Jesus. They recognise their sins, repent, and accept Jesus as Saviour. This is the Path of Hope. It is where a person is walking TO Jesus Christ.
The next three paths are not necessarily sequential. A person can walk sections of them at the same time. For simplicity though, I will suggest the following order as best.
Walking in Faith
When a person makes a decision and a commitment to Christ, they begin to walk by faith. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 7 “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” Someone who is walking by faith is not looking at the things of this world. They place no importance on the things of this world, but rather they seek Jesus Christ to overcome the world.
When we walk the path of faith we are walking 'with' Jesus Christ. We follow Him as disciples to learn all He has to teach us so we can come to fullness of life in Him. Jesus said to His disciples concerning the Holy Spirit, “…you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” (John chapter 14 verse 17) This is a good scripture to preface the third path we walk as Christians.
Walking in the Spirit
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was 'with' the disciples, but would be 'in' them. When Jesus died, His death issued in the New Covenant, which promised the pouring out of the Holy Spirit onto all mankind.
After Christ died, the Holy Spirit was poured out, commencing at Pentecost, and then elsewhere as the Apostles and disciples spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is by walking in the Spirit that we are given power to overcome in the flesh. It is not our power, but the power of God through the Holy Spirit working in us, as Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 5 verse 16, “…walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
When we are walking in the Spirit, the nature of Christ is being formed in us and so we are walking 'in' Jesus Christ.
Walking in Love
The final path is the walk of love, where we think, act, behave, reason and live in the image of God.
In this walk we learn to walk AS Jesus Christ walked when He was upon this earth. This is the final stage of maturity for a Christian; to be perfected in Jesus Christ.
This is essential as Jesus says in Matthew chapter 5 verse 48, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The only true perfection that exists is in the image of the Father, for God is love.
These are the five walks every person can walk. Some may not walk all the way, some may not get off the first path. But the way is set before us. And if you need a GPS to find the right path, just remember, Jesus said, “I am the way…” (John chapter 14 verse 6).
Since retiring from work, John Lemmon now spends his time teaching, preaching and writing about the word of God, online and offline, answering God's call on him to “Speak to my people.” John and his wife Colleen travel all over Australia and you will often find him playing guitar or ukulele outside their caravan somewhere in the Great Outback. You can connect with John on Twitter (@JohnBLemmon) or on his Christian Bible study blog (freegiftfromgod.com/blog).
John Lemmon’s previous articles may be viewed at
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/john-lemmon.html
Since retiring from work, John Lemmon now spends his time teaching, preaching and writing about the word of God, online and offline, answering God's call on him to “Speak to my people.” You can connect with John on Twitter (@JohnBLemmon) or on his website: freegiftfromgod.com/ or listen to his podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-free-gift-from-god-podcast/id1440682375