Are You Walking In The Light Of The Righteous Path?
Good Morning Friends,
By worshipping…working and waiting in the Lord we live. But the walking part, step by step is the deal too. For Jesus walked down to the river. Up to the mountains and down through the valleys. He walked with disciples and friends and taught. And here on the journey, in the way of righteousness, it becomes clearer on reflection that it is not always a tranquil stroll, but it is always better with Jesus. A walk with Jesus is always more revealing once the meaning is absorbed into the pace of our lives.
So, Are You Walking In The Light Of The Righteous Path?
Scripture: Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:13-32 (NRSV)
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Psalm 85:9-14 (NRSV)
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSV)
Message: The Bible is filled with stories of walking. Jesus walked just about everywhere he went…even on water. The Bible uses the example of walking to describe the journey we are on in life. And the thing is that life, like the Road to Emmaus, can be a bit of a thought maze. We get focused and anxious about the wrong turns instead of on the straight path of a Highway of Holiness. We can be walking with the answer but not have the right vantage point. It is hard to see the next step. It is hard to see Jesus on the journey even though in our soul we want him with us to help us understand.
Helen Keller once said that, “What a blind person needs is not a teacher but another self.” This is so true for us. Helen Keller also said that, “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” She realized in her blindness some important truths about Jesus. She realized that, “In the knowledge of a friend is love and light and vision.” Friends we are so blind in our sins but when we walk with Jesus we are never in the dark. Here we discover that observing are sins alone is not sufficient. Friends, we need the love of Jesus not as a teacher alone but as another self, bringing us vision walking in fellowship with God. Walking with another person as a friend in life is a witness to the love of Christ in us as an intimacy with God that radiates out through us to those we touch with gratitude and compassion. This brings glory to God step by step on our journey. So today’s message is about the benefits of taking a spiritual walk in the truth and in the light of conducting ourselves in ways that are pleasing to God. Here we can see how this helps us to live the abundant life….to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Friends, taking a walk in the Fruit of the Spirit. Take a walk on the highway of holiness and live in submission to someone greater than we can imagine.
Pray we realize that to walk in the Spirit we have to move…we have to step out. Pray we have faith to walk in the Spirit. Pray we have strength to keep our self in check. Pray we realize that Jesus is the love and light of the world. Pray that through fellowship Jesus opens our eyes. Pray that in confession to Jesus we share in the power and light and love of God. Pray we have vision born out of fellowship. Pray we keep moving forward. Pray we allow the truth of the Holy Spirit to apply the truths of the word made flesh in our daily walk with Jesus. Pray we stretch our faith enough to risk taking a step toward God with God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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