WALKING WITH GOD by Irving E. Baker

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 1, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 48.

WALKING WITH GOD.

By Irving E. Baker

As in the Scriptures we study the lives of holy men, we are apt to think that somehow their experience was different from ours, and that there was something in their lives which it is impossible for us to attain to. Let us take the record of two whose lives seem to have been most nearly perfect, and see how they became what they were; and we shall find that all who are finally saved will attain righteousness in the same way.

We read of Enoch, “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him.” Gen. 5:24. Comparing this with Heb. 11:5, we find by what means Enoch was able to walk with God: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Comparing 1 Cor. 15:51 with 1 Thess. 4:17, it is seen that there will be a class living on the earth at the second coming of Christ who will be translated as Enoch was. The testimony of the Scriptures shows that we are living in the time when that event is near, and so it becomes a personal question, How shall I live that I may be among that number? The record says, “By faith Enoch was translated.” That we also must live by faith is evident from Heb. 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith.” “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Heb. 11:6. Enoch “by faith” had the testimony while living on the earth “that he pleased God.” So may we by the same faith.

Of Noah it is said, “Noah walked with God.” Gen. 6:9. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Heb. 11:7.

Noah’s work also is a parallel to the last message of warning which is now going to the world. See Matt. 24:37–39. He walked with God by faith, and warned the world of the coming Flood. But while telling the people of the destruction at hand, “moved with fear,” he “prepared an ark to the saving of his house,” and in so doing “he condemned the world.” And not only that, but he “became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

Do we desire to walk with God? Will our holy lives condemn the world? Do we want to save our households? Are we preachers of righteousness? Then let us have the living faith of Noah. Let us not only believe the truth and talk it to others, but let our daily lives be a living demonstration of the truthfulness of the message we proclaim. So shall we walk with God, and become heirs “of the righteousness which is by faith.”

“Dear Father, at Thy word I lift my trembling hand, And clasp the one that’s offered me; How precious Thy command! “And, walking at Thy side, How can I go astray? Thy law within my heart Shall keep me in the way.”

IRVING E. BAKER.

Bastrop, La.