We have spoken of the Christian's attitude in waiting for Christ's return in the last paper, in which we also saw that two other attitudes are also closely connected with this event, namely, the Christian's walk and work. We will now briefly consider the former of these two. In the first place, let us clearly understand that "walking" is not "working," properly so called. The distinction, indeed, seems so plain as to be hardly necessary at all, yet there is a great deal of confusion on this very point. Many seem to think that if they are walking steadily and correctly, and are manifesting Christ more or less in their daily life, they are doing all that can be required of them; and yet it may be that with all this, beautiful as it is in its place, they may be ignoring and leaving undone a large amount of Christian work that is ready for them. We will point out one or two Scripture expressions on this subject.
Walking and Working
“To me to live is Christ" is a very comprehensive one, and includes both the walk and work, indeed, all that Christ did. Would that we knew more of its meaning.
Take, however, the exhortations to a godly walk in the Ephesians-to walk worthy of our vocation, to walk in love, and walk circumspectly, also those of Peter on the same subject, and compare them with "Always abounding in the work of the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)). "If any man's work abide." (1 Cor. 3). "To every man his work." (Mark 13:3434For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (Mark 13:34)), etc., and it will be at once seen that "walk" is not the same as "work," though in some cases the word is so used as to include it; "Walk worthily of the Lord unto all well-pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing by the true (or full) knowledge of God." (Col. 1:1010That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10). N. T.)
We, however, are so one-sided in our actions and views that, far from maintaining the even balance of Scripture, we either are very active in works, often seeking in that activity to cover up the want of a really godly and Christ-like walk, or else we become so occupied with the passive side of the new life as to have but little Christian activity left. Some, indeed, press work, work, work, till it would seem as if Christianity were all work. Others say only walk, walk, walk, as if the Christian had no real work to do. What Christ wants is both.
Leaving the working, however, just for the present, let us briefly consider the walking: Now our walk is characterized by two great principles, for as we "ought to walk even as Christ walked," and as He was light and love, even as God is (1 John 1:5; 4:8-165This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:8‑16),) these two principles govern our path.
(Continued and to be continued)