Understanding External and Internal Freedom in Christian Walk
The Christian walk, a recurring biblical metaphor, encompasses both external conduct and internal disposition, reflecting a life lived in accordance with divine calling and spiritual freedom. This "walk" signifies a continuous journey of faith and obedience, guided by the Holy Spirit [4].
The concept of "walking" in scripture often refers to one's manner of life or conduct [12]. For instance, Paul urges believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received" [3]. This calling is not merely an internal conviction but demands an outward expression of one's faith. The apostle, writing as a "prisoner in the Lord," emphasizes that while he is physically constrained, his readers have the liberty to demonstrate their faith through their actions [7, 13]. This external walk involves living wisely "toward the ones outside," making the most of every opportunity [1]. It implies a visible uprightness in speech and behavior, as God takes pleasure in uprightness and desires it to be evident in one's heart, speech, and actions [2].
Internal freedom, on the other hand, is a foundational aspect of the Christian walk. Paul declares that "Christ has truly set us free" [11]. This freedom is not a license for "licentious way" but rather a "Gospel liberty" experienced under the influence of the Holy Spirit [6]. It contrasts sharply with the "yoke of the law" that was a duty in Judaism, which believers are not called to bear [11]. Instead, Christians are invited to enjoy "Christ’s yoke of freedom" [11]. This internal liberty allows believers to "walk at liberty" because they seek God's precepts [5]. John Gill interprets this as walking "in the breadth of the law," encompassing all of God's commandments and ordinances, rather than being confined by a narrow, legalistic interpretation [6].
The interplay between external and internal freedom is crucial. The internal freedom from the bondage of sin and the law empowers the external walk of righteousness. Before conversion, individuals "walked" in sins and transgressions, following a path that leads to destruction [12]. However, through Christ, believers are redeemed from this "vain conversation of the wicked" and are enabled to walk in integrity [10]. This integrity is not merely outward conformity but stems from an inner transformation [10].
The "walk" metaphor also suggests progress and continuous growth. John Gill notes that a "walk" can be a place for "Christian conference and conversation," implying that the Christian journey involves interaction and mutual encouragement among believers [9]. The exhortation to "walk" is often presented as an earnest request, appealing to believers with "kind and tender manner, from real and hearty love and affection" [8]. This approach acknowledges that while God's commands are authoritative, persuasion and entreaty can be more effective in motivating believers to live out their faith [8].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 4:5 (LITV) — Walk in wisdom toward the ones outside, redeeming the time.”
- 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”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:1 (BSB) — As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:”
- Galatians “Galatians 5:25 (YLT) — if we may live in the Spirit, in the Spirit also we may walk;”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 119:45 — And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:43: And I will walk at liberty,.... Not in licentious way, but in Gospel liberty, under the influence of the free spirit; where is liberty, in the exercise of grace and discharge of duty. Or, "I will walk at large" (g); or, "in a broad way", as Aben Ezra and Kimchi supply it: not in the broad road that leads to destruction, but in the law of God, which is exceeding broad, Psa 119:96; as the Targum, "in the breadth of the law.'' So a man walks when he walks in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord: and who also may be said to walk at large when delivered ou”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:1: This is a general exhortation to walk as becomes our Christian profession. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of the Lord, or in the Lord, which signifies as much as for the Lord. See of this, Eph 3:1. He mentions this once and again, to show that he was not ashamed of his bonds, well knowing that he suffered not as an evil doer: and likewise to recommend what he wrote to them with the greater tenderness and with some special advantage. It was a doctrine he thought worth suffering for, and therefore surely they should think it worthy their ”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:1: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren,.... Or request of you in the most kind and tender manner, from real and hearty love and affection for you, and with a view to your good, and the glory of God: and exhort you: or beseech and entreat you. The apostle does not lay his commands upon them as he might have done, and sometimes does, but endeavours to work upon them by way of entreaty, and which he doubtless thought the most effectual method to win upon them, and gain them; for some minds are more easily wrought upon by entreaty than by authority: and this ”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 42:4: And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits' breadth inward,.... That is, within side, or between the two rows of chambers, there was a walk of this breadth, for those that lodged in the chambers to walk in for their pleasure and profit, and to converse with one another. Such who by these "chambers" understand places of retirement for private devotion, or the duties of the closet, which fit and prepare for public worship, as these chambers were near and in sight of the temple, so by this walk then Christian conference and conversation is intended; and shows, tha”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:11: But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity,.... In which he had hitherto walked, Psa 26:1; or it may express his faith, that after he was gathered by death he should walk in uprightness and righteousness, in purity and perfection, with Christ in white, and behold the face of God in righteousness; see Isa 57:1; redeem me; from the vain conversation of the wicked, from all troubles, and out of the hands of all enemies; and be merciful unto me; who was now in distress, being persecuted by Saul, and at a distance from the house of God: this shows that mercy is the ”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:1: 5:1 Paul succinctly summarizes his message to the Galatians, decrying their foolish behavior and offering a positive alternative—freedom. • So Christ has truly set us free: Christians are free to walk by faith in Christ alone (cp. Rom 8). • don’t get tied up (literally don’t take on a yoke): In Judaism, it was a duty and an honor to “take the yoke of the law.” God’s children in Christ are not called to bear this heavy burden (see Luke 11:46; Acts 15:10); instead, they enjoy Christ’s yoke of freedom (Matt 11:28-30).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2:2: Wherein in time past ye walked,.... Sins and transgressions are a road or path, in which all unconverted sinners walk; and this path is a dark, crooked, and broad one, which leads to destruction and death, and yet is their own way, which they choose, approve of, and delight to walk in; and walking in it denotes a continued series of sinning, an obstinate persisting in it, a progress in iniquity, and pleasure therein: and the time of walking in this path, being said to be in time past, shows that the elect of. God before conversion, walk in the same road that others ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 4:1: I therefore - Therefore, because God has provided for you such an abundant salvation, and ye have his testimonies among you, and have full liberty to use all the means of grace; The prisoner of the Lord - Who am deprived of my liberty for the Lord's sake. Beseech you that ye walk - Ye have your liberty, and may walk; I am deprived of mine, and cannot. This is a fine stroke, and wrought up into a strong argument. You who are at large can show forth the virtues of him who called you into his marvellous light; I am in bondage, and can only exhort others by my writing”