John Macduff Collection: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days): Day 16

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John Macduff Collection: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days): Day 16



TOPIC: MacDuff, John - The Christians Pathway (31 days) (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: Day 16

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16. Harmony Restored

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amo_3:3.

There are three expressions employed by the inspired writers concerning the Christian's walk, in reference to God.

Sometimes we read of walking after God, as in the prophecies of Hosea. "They shall walk," it is said, "after the Lord." This supposes God to be the leader of His people, and they follow Him, even as the sheep follow their shepherd. It also implies that He is their pattern, and that it is their duty to be imitators of Him, according to the injunction of the apostle—"Be, therefore, followers of God, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us."

Again, we read of walking before God. He is behind us to observe all our movements and watch all our ways. The command given to Abraham was—"I am the Almighty God, walk before me, and be perfect." And the Psalmist, after acknowledging the obligations he was under to his great Benefactor for having delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling, made this resolution—"I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living."

But we also read of walking with God; it being said of one of the most eminent of the antediluvian saints—"And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." And Micah says—"He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you—but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

It is evident that walking together presupposes a state of friendship. Where enmity exists between individuals, there is an invincible barrier to everything like true fellowship. If people under the influence of hostile feelings are compelled to meet, it will be with reluctance; the hour that brings them into contact will be dreaded when distant, and hated when it comes, and the moment that terminates their meeting, will be hailed as the harbinger of delight. In such a case there cannot of necessity be that warm and welcome fellowship which attends the meeting of those whose minds are cemented by affection and esteem; there will be the entire absence of that cordiality and confidence which a habit of free and friendly communion implies.

Now this state of feeling between man and man, is a true parallel to that which exists between man and God. All men in their unregenerate condition are enemies to Him. There is in the human heart a natural repugnance to God—a repugnance which justifies to the very letter the strong language of the apostle—"For the carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Now to have communion with God while such enmity lasts, is altogether impossible. It must be not merely lessened—but abolished and destroyed. Not partially subdued—but uprooted and slain—before spiritual fellowship can be realized.

It is a blessed truth, that we, however sad our state is by nature, can be brought to enjoy the divine friendship and favor. The adorable Redeemer has been set forth as a propitiation, and through faith in His blood—God and man can once more become friends! There is no other way of reconciliation, nor has there been any other since the period when the fruit of the forbidden tree was plucked, which brought death and innumerable woes into our world. It is by the exercise of simple faith in the one Savior, and the one sacrifice which He offered—that our guilty persons can be accepted, and our wicked hearts be renewed. Justified through His atoning merits and washed in His precious blood, we shall have peace with God, and be enabled to look up to Him as our Father and Friend.

O my soul, has your enmity been slain? Can you be addressed as one with those to whom the apostle said—"And you who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works—yet now has he reconciled." O Lord, give me to feel that the quarrel has been made up; that the old dispute has been forever settled; and may I walk henceforth in the light of Your countenance, and rejoice in Your name all my days.