'Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?' (Amos 3:3) This verse is often quoted in the context of the marriage covenant where a man and a woman agrees to walk together. Similarly, there is a covenant between Christ and his bride to walk together. Had not the Spirit of Christ been willing to walk with us, God would not have commanded us to be led by his Spirit and to be in step with him. Being able to walk in step with the Spirit is a sign of our spiritual maturity. 'Enoch walked with God 300 years ... then he was no more, because God took him away.' (Genesis 5:22-24) To 'walk with God' means to be in communion (sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or spiritual level) with him because its customary for people to commune (to converse or talk) with each other while they walk together. Through this communion, Enoch came to know about the coming deluge and therefore named his son 'Methuselah' meaning 'when he is dead, it ( the deluge) will come.' He also prophesied about the second coming of Christ.( Jude vs 14) So did Abraham who was told in advance about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorah because God wouldn't hide it from him. ( Genesis 18:17) Just as there were those who walked with God, so did the disciples walk with Jesus and he told them what is yet to come. Now Jesus has sent his Spirit and has instructed us to walk in step with him. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise us if 'he will tell us what is yet to come.' ( John 16:13) Those who are in 'step (Greek: stoicheō means to follow, walk in, adhere to) with the Spirit' also have a sense of timing which is a quality essential for leadership. We must know when to act boldly and when to wait patiently. David had this critical sense of God's timing because he was led by the Spirit since the day the 'Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power.' ( 1 Samuel 16:13) Then when he was anointed as king over Israel, the Philistines went up in full force to search of him but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold ... David inquired of the Lord and he answered, "As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, MOVE QUICKLY, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." ( 2 Samuel 5:17-25) David knew precisely when to make the move. He was not too early nor too late for the ambush! When led by the Spirit, we ought to be in step with the Spirit and not lag behind him nor outstep him. David was disciplined by the Spirit to be in step with him for he wrote: 'You hem be in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?' ( Psalm 139:5-7) The secret of the early Church was that they were in step with the Spirit. They waited for the Spirit to come before they launched their campaign to witness Christ even to the ends of the world because Jesus had instructed them, "Do not leave Jerusalem; but wait for the gift ( of the Spirit) my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." ( Acts 1:4) Then when the Spirit came, the Church launched out into a dangerous world of soldiers, sorcerers, merchants, prostitutes and antagonists from other religion. The early Church lived dangerously, but never before has such a handful of people exerted such widespread influence. The secret was in being led by the Spirit and being in step with him. 'Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.' ( Galatians 5:25) Amen
Sam Matthews. K
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