p. 139 | Walking with God by A. M. Lindsley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1873

Walking with God.

By A. M. Lindsley

We have the account in the Bible of two, at least, who lived so righteously that it is recorded of them that they walked with God. Both of these persons lived at a time when the earth was so corrupt through the wickedness that prevailed, that the Lord repented that he had formed man. To both of them he displayed his faithfulness and power in a remarkable manner,—first, to Enoch in translating him to Heaven without seeing death,—and, secondly to Noah by preserving him and his family, as miraculously, from destruction brought upon the old world by the flood. In these times of apostasy from God, they stood out as beacons of light, faith, and obedience; by their righteousness condemning the ungodly, and shedding a holy influence upon those around them. Their lives were examples of holy living while surrounded with influences that constantly tended in an opposite direction. It shows that the grace of God is sufficient, if sought after and obtained, to sustain in the most trying times of danger and temptation. Their lives and experience are an ensample to us who live in an age of, perhaps, as great apostasy and degeneracy from God.

“In the case of Enoch, the desponding faithful were taught that, although living among a corrupt and sinful people, who were in open and daring rebellion against God, their CREATOR, yet if they would obey him, and have faith in the promised Redeemer, they could work righteousness like the faithful Enoch, be accepted of God, and finally exalted to his heavenly throne.

“Enoch, separating himself from the world, and spending much of his time in prayer and communion with God, represents God’s loyal people in the last days, who will be separate from the world. Unrighteousness will prevail to a dreadful extent upon the earth. Men will give themselves up to follow every imagination of their corrupt hearts, and carry out their deceptive philosophy, and rebel against the authority of high Heaven.

“God’s people will separate themselves from the unrighteous practices of those around them, and will seek for purity of thought, and holy conformity to his will, until his divine image will be reflected in them. Like Enoch, they will be fitting for translation to Heaven. While they endeavor to instruct and warn the world, they will not conform to the spirit and customs of unbelievers, but will condemn them by their holy conversation and godly example. Enoch’s translation to Heaven just before the destruction of the world by a flood represents the translation of all the living righteous from the earth previous to its destruction by fire.” “The Lord here teaches a lesson of the greatest importance by the translation of Enoch, a descendant of fallen Adam, that all would be rewarded who by faith would rely upon the promised SACRIFICE and faithfully obey his commandments. Two classes are here again represented, which were to exist till the second coming of Christ—the righteous and the wicked, the rebellious and the loyal. God will remember the righteous, who fear him. On account of his dear Son he will respect and honor them, and give them everlasting life. But the wicked, who trample upon his authority, he will cut off and destroy from the earth, and they will be as though they had not been.”—Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3.

The inhabitants of earth have not quite filled up their measure of sin and iniquity, but every day we see it on the increase, and very soon, as they are individually tested by the proclamation of present truth, they will either fall back decidedly to the ranks of the enemy, or take their stand with the little few for whom the Lord will again display his miraculous power, by carrying them through the time of peril, and saving them from the destruction by fire of the world that now is.

Multitudes, according to the prophet, are gathering in the valley of decision. It is a fearful time. Shall we believe the word of warning that reaches us in numerous ways, take hold of it, square our lives by it, humble ourselves before God, and walk with him now, as those must who will be saved? There is very much comprehended in the idea of walking with God,—how much, we shall never know until we are so much in earnest in this matter as to fully seek and find his favor. Oh! that with weeping, and humbling of self, we may draw so near to him that we can get a view of his majesty, his purity of character, and realize the sinfulness of sin as he beholds it. Oh! for a longing in our hearts, begotten by the Holy Spirit, to be assimilated to the likeness of Christ,—that in our experience we may go from strength to strength, daily developing a perfect Christian character. Let us strive more for the graces of the Spirit, more holiness of heart, and not rest satisfied short of taking God himself for our portion. Then, “will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Then, will we have the Lord of hosts with us, the God of Jacob for our refuge.

A. M. LINDSLEY.