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Sustaining a Spiritual Walk with Jesus Christ

Sustaining a spiritual walk with Jesus Christ is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of living a life guided by the Spirit and following Christ's example. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:25, "If we live by Spirit, by Spirit, let us also walk" [1]. This verse underscores the connection between being spiritually alive and walking in the Spirit.

The concept of "walking" in the New Testament is often used metaphorically to describe one's manner of life or conduct. In 1 John 2:6, it is written, "Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked" [2]. This verse establishes that abiding in Christ involves emulating His life and teachings. Similarly, in Colossians 2:6, believers are exhorted to "continue to walk in Him" after having received Christ Jesus as Lord [3].

The idea of walking with or like Jesus involves several key elements. First, it requires a deep, ongoing relationship with Christ, often described as "abiding" in Him. This abiding is characterized by faith, obedience, and a reliance on the Spirit. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, union with Christ is maintained by faith, and it involves Christ being in believers and believers being in Christ [4]. This union is foundational to a spiritual walk.

The characteristics of a spiritual walk include meekness, as exemplified by Christ [6]. Meekness is considered a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and is essential for believers who seek to follow Jesus' example. Uprightness is another critical aspect, involving a life that is pleasing to God and marked by integrity in heart, speech, and walk [7].

Different Christian traditions interpret and emphasize various aspects of sustaining a spiritual walk. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the importance of continuing in the state of salvation and growing in it. On 1 John 2:6, Clarke notes that abiding in Christ means living a life of devotion and obedience to God and benevolence to neighbors, following Christ's example [8]. Similarly, on Galatians 5:25, Clarke stresses that professing a spiritual religion must be accompanied by a life that demonstrates the Spirit's dwelling within [11].

In contrast, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary, focuses on walking in the light as Christ is in the light. This involves being enlightened by the Spirit, knowing Christ, and following the light and truth of the Gospel [10]. On Galatians 5:25, Gill advises walking after the Spirit, making the word inspired by Him the rule of behavior and taking the Spirit as a guide [12].

The Protestant academic perspective, while not directly quoted on the topic, highlights the challenges of following Jesus, noting that it involves forgoing life's normal comforts and is not merely an intellectual exercise [9].

In practice, sustaining a spiritual walk with Jesus Christ involves several practices: believing in and obeying Christ, loving Him, and following His example. It also entails living to Christ, being sober, righteous, and godly, and walking honestly [5]. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this walk, guiding believers and witnessing to their spirits.

The historical development of the concept of sustaining a spiritual walk is deeply rooted in the early Christian teachings and the apostolic writings. The emphasis on walking in the Spirit and following Christ's example has been a consistent theme across various Christian traditions.

Sources

  1. Galatians “Galatians 5:25 (Rotherham) — If we live by Spirit, by Spirit, let us also walk.”
  2. I John “I John 2:6 (BSB) — Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.”
  3. Colossians “Colossians 2:6 (BSB) — Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him,”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Uprightness — God is perfect in -- Isa 26:7. God has pleasure in -- 1Ch 29:17. God created man in -- Ec 7:29. Man has deviated from -- Ec 7:29. Should be in Heart. -- 2Ch 29:34; Ps 125:4. Speech. -- Isa 33:15. Walk. -- Pr 14:2. Judging. -- Ps 58:1; 75:2. Ruling. -- Ps 78:72. The being kept from presumptuous sins is necessary to -- Ps 19:13. With poverty, is better than sin with riches -- Pr 28:6. With poverty, is better than folly -- Pr 19:1. They who walk in Fear God. -- Pr 14:2. Love Christ. -- Song 1:4. Countenanced by God. -- Ps 11:7. Delighted in by God. -- Pr 1”
  8. 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:6: Abideth in him - He who not only professes to have known Christ, but also that he has communion with him, and abides in his favor, should prove the truth of his profession by walking as Christ walked; living a life of devotion and obedience to God, and of benevolence and beneficence to his neighbor. Thus Christ walked; and he has left us an example that we should follow his steps. To be in Christ, Jo1 2:5, is to be converted to the Christian faith, and to have received the remission of sins. To abide in Christ, Jo1 2:6, is to continue in that state of salvation, grow”
  9. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:20: 8:20 Following Jesus is not easy; it involves more than intellectual mastery. Following Jesus entails being willing to forgo life’s normal comforts.”
  10. 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light,.... Are persons enlightened by the Spirit of God, so as to have a true sight and sense of sin, to know Christ, and the way of salvation by him; and are children of the light, and are going on and increasing in spiritual light and knowledge; walk on in Christ, the light, by faith, and in the light and truth of the Gospel, and as becomes it, and as children of light; and as such who are called out of darkness into marvellous light: as he is in the light; according to the light which he has given, who is light itself, is in it, and dwells in”
  11. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:25: If we live in the Spirit - If we profess to believe a spiritual religion, let us walk in the Spirit - let us show in our lives and conversation that the Spirit of God dwells in us.”
  12. Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:15: This I say then, walk in the Spirit,.... The advice the apostle thinks fit to give, and which he would have observed, is, to "walk in the Spirit", that is, either after the Spirit of God; making the word inspired by him the rule of behaviour, which as it is the standard of faith, so of practice, and is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path; taking him himself for a guide, who not only guides into all truth, but in the way of holiness and righteousness unto the land of uprightness; and depending upon his grace and strength for assistance throughout the”
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