Quiet Time: A Walk With God

A Walk With God
 
Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. – Genesis 5:24
 
Imagine being so close to God that instead of everyone seeing you grow old and die, God just showed up one day and took you home to be with him. That’s exactly what happened to Enoch.

As a boy, I would read this passage in awe of Enoch. It seems that by sheer faith Enoch skipped the process of dying all together. We also understand that Enoch was known by those around him as a man with whom God found pleasure. That’s how we know that Enoch had great faith, because without faith it is impossible to please God.

A reasonable question then is, “In what exactly did Enoch believe?”

Enoch believed that anyone who wants to get close to God must believe not only that He exists but also that God actually desires to get involved in the lives of those who are looking for Him (Hebrews 11:5-6).  

I think that Enoch was a man who saw God intimately involved in every aspect of His life. So much so, that he walked with Him from earth right into eternity.

That’s how I want to know God, don’t you? Intimately.

Quiet Time: I Beg to Differ

I Beg to Differ

Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. – Philippians 3:15 NLT

I disagree. 

When did this two word sentence become wrong?

I am a fundamental, bible believing, blood bought Christ follower who understands that the bible teaches many explicit doctrines, many more implicit truths, and an even greater number of not so clear stuff, to which my best answer is, “I don’t know.” This view neither hinders me from searching the scriptures to better understand God’s heart, nor does it keep me from hanging out with those who see things differently.

One thing I see is that the church is changing. Many things are accepted today that would have never been allowed in the past. More bewildering; fundamental doctrines are now being reshaped by some very popular teachers, possibly, for the sake of reaching an ever larger audience. 

Realistically, most of us will never be in a position to talk one on one with a rock star preacher, but there's no reason why individual believers can't sit down with their local pastor, as well as, small group bible studies and reasonably search the scriptures together, agreeing and disagreeing graciously. I see little hope of the body of Christ growing in grace and truth, let alone, being of one mind and spirit serving the LORD (Phil. 1:27) until we do. 

“I disagree”, should not separate but instigate further study and dialog. 

Dig deeper – listen longer – speak slower - practice patience