Walking with Christ
Dr. Olawale
In any field of human endeavor, there is what is called “The vital few.” These are the few fundamentals that, if one can master and apply them, will guarantee outstanding results and success. In our walk with Christ, there are a vital few that we need to master, be conscious of, and live by so that we can become, accomplish, and have all that God has prepared for us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. These vital few are captured in a triangle with four main components.
Vital Few Triangle
Beloved, chosen, and redeemed by God’s grace: The Bible says that as a man (or woman) thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Our mindset and identity are critical to becoming and walking in the fullness of who God has made us in Christ Jesus. First, we need a renewal of our mind by identifying, believing, and walking in the consciousness of what God has done for us through the death and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. We must know individually and corporately how much the Father loves us. The realization of God’s love is so freeing and empowering. Knowing that you are beloved and so special to God infuses joy, contentment, self-worth, and confidence in you, which will allow you to love others unconditionally in the same way the Father loves you. Let’s dwell on two scriptures to see who you are in Christ and how much you are loved by God.
“9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9&10 - NIV
“9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:9&10
Realizing the magnitude of God's unconditional love for us in Christ Jesus should inspire a heart of humility and gratitude for the opportunity to love, worship, and serve God in return.
2. God’s Presence: As we journey through life, we will face many challenges, oppositions, and difficulties. These challenges are multiplied if we want to walk with the Lord and please Him. The Lord wants us to face all these challenges confidently because of His presence. Those conscious of who they are in Christ and God’s presence with them can face any challenge. By walking with God, we become strong and courageous enough to do the impossible and face any giant or challenge. We are unstoppable because of His presence. Remember the report of the ten spies versus the report of Joshua and Caleb. While others were shrinking back in fear because of how great the enemies were, Joshua and Caleb were so conscious of the greatness of God and His presence that they said:
“6 The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”” Numbers 14:6-9
3. The Holy Spirit: Many Christians do not understand the importance of the third person of the Godhead for their successful walk with the Lord on earth. Without developing intimacy with and moment-by-moment dependency on the Holy Spirit, we cannot live a godly and productive Christian life. He is the one who empowers us to do God’s will. He teaches us and guides us into all truth. He reveals Christ and His will to us. He is so crucial for our journey on earth that the Lord stated that it was more beneficial for us that He should depart so that the Holy Spirit might come to abide with us (John 16:7). When the Lord Jesus was on earth with the disciples, we can see a lot of the manifestations of the works of the flesh in them like unbelief, pride, selfishness, and timidity.
For instance, Peter denied Jesus three times. The third time, a maid confronted him about knowing Jesus, and Peter started swearing that he never knew Jesus (Matthew 26:69-74). Fast forward to the Day of Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit came upon him, he became a different man. He declared Jesus publicly and boldly, resulting in the salvation of 3000 people (Acts 2:41-47). Another time, Peter and some of the Apostles were beaten for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they left the place dancing and rejoicing, saying that God counted them worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:40 & 41). What a transformation the Holy Spirit brought about in and through them! In fact, the Bible stated that Christ was only able to live a holy life because of the Holy Spirit at work in Him (Romans 1:4).
Let us see what the Holy Spirit carries and delivers to us and through us when we know and walk with Him.
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2-3a)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)
4. The Lordship of Jesus Christ and His Word: This is strategically placed at the heart of the triangle. Our obedience and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His words are the only proof of our love for Him. He stated:
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. … 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14: 15-17 & 21, NIV)
We can see that our access to the Holy Spirit and all He carries for our benefit, our intimacy with the Father, and our growth in knowing Him all rest upon our submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ through our obedience to Him. He stated that only what we do that is based on His word will last (Luke 6:46-49). And when we allow the Lord His rightful place as our Shepherd, then we are guaranteed no lack (Psalm 23).
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49, NIV)
