◄ A Closer Walk ►

Oh for a Closer Walk with God. In Revelation chapter 4:3-4 we read: Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

All In All

As I started this devotional my thoughts were on Christ: Christ is all in all and there is nothing more glorious than being in Christ. From the beginning, God purposed to sum up everything in Christ. There is nothing more vital in the Christian walk than to be Christo-centric. There is nothing more evident in Scripture than God’s Christo-spheric plan. But as I reflected on this devotional, I realised that He is not the focus of most hearts.. I realised that anything but Jesus appears to be the focus of most Christian hearts.

Other-Centred

Some have their eyes on the circumstances of life and not on their position In Christ. Some have their focus on signs, wonders, and miracles.. that point TO Christ. Some have their ears tickled with every wind of doctrine. Some have allowed their faith to erode and look again to Self as their only saviour. Some have even chosen to: walk with Him no more. Even those that are expecting Him to come at the sound of the last trump are looking for the process and not the product. Many are looking for an event, in the form of the rapture, and not looking for the person of Christ.

Idol Worship

Anything or anyone that takes the place of Christ is an idol. The biggest idol in the lives of believers is self – great big ugly self. But we must all beware, if we point an index finger of accusation at another, lest three much greater digits are directed at our own, festering, evil heart. As I started this devotional my thoughts were on Christ: but as I continued.. the penultimate stanza of a much-loved hymn came to mind:-

The dearest idol I have known,
 Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

As I watch in astonishment as people lose their faith in the Lord and seek An-other, I identify the source of the problem as the enemy, who desires to shipwreck faith. I identify the centre of the problem as self on the throne with or alongside Christ.

Subtle Sin

Do you long for a closer walk with God? Do you really ache to be closer to the Lord? Have you left you first love and lost that calm and heavenly frame? Have you discovered your heart to be hardening in spiritual matters? Has your life become one long materialistic walk? Are you more bothered by all the gadgets of life that go wrong or need replacing? Materialism is not having these things it is craving after these things. Materialism is discontent in one lot in life.. it is indeed a very subtle sin. Do you look back at your early Christian life and miss His sweet fellowship? – then reflect on every word of this much-loved hymn by William Cowper –  and reflect on where your idol is.

A Closer Walk With God,

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.*

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

Never take your eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ. Never ever look to Self as your saviour. Look to Christ and remain in Christ alone, for He is ALL and He in all in all – in Christ.

* NOTE the last line of verse 4 -
"And drove Thee from my breast"
When we first believed the Holy Spirit comes to permanently indwell believers and although we may grieve Him or quench His work within us, He will never ever be driven from our breast.