Willing to Walk with Jesus?

Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? - Amos 3:3

What does it mean to "Walk with Jesus?"

One paraphrased version of this verse from Amos says, "How can we walk together with your sins between us?"

A. W. Tozer once wrote regarding spiritual perfection, "Is there anyone for spiritual perfection?"

This theme of the possibility of being spiritually mature, or "perfect" as Paul puts it, makes many nervous. Many see Christianity as partly religion, partly social fun, partly group therapy. Is it fanaticism to want to press on until you can perfectly love God, perfectly praise Him, and perfectly love other people? Is it fanaticism to want to live daily in the perfect will of God?

Throughout the Old and New Testaments we see those with a hunger to know God and to follow Him. In the New Testament we see that in the life of Paul, and the disciples throughout the book of Acts. Why are we so distracted today?

Many Christians today are not joyful because they are living sub-Christian lives. They are not joyful because they are not Holy persons, and they are not Holy persons because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit. They are not filled with the Holy Spirit because they still want to live with one foot, or both feet, planted in the World. What is even worse is that many Christians living in this condition will defend their choices, their flaws, their weaknesses, and their defeats. They will defend with great emotion their "right" to cling to the world.

Many people followed Jesus. At times the crowds numbered in the thousands. At times, the crowds even wanted to make Him their King. However, when Jesus declared that it was necessary to turn away from sin, to make Him the Lord in their lives, and to give their very life for Him, the crowds left Jesus as fast as they could, leaving only a few remaining. Not many are actually willing to follow Jesus.

The truth is that among those who are saved, not just pretending to be saved, or wishing they were saved, but among those who are actually followers of Christ, not many are willing to "sell their soul to Jesus," to give themselves 100% to Him.

Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? - Amos 3:3

What does it mean to "Walk with Jesus?"

In order to walk with Jesus, you must agree with Him. You must agree with Him about where you are going, and about how to get there. You must agree with Him about where to walk, and about how fast to walk. You must walk with Him. He will not compromise with you.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.