Section 1129
III. I am now to show you what is meant by walking in this way which is here exhorted to
Walking, as it respects Christ the way, designs believing in him; to believe in the light, and to walk in the light, are one and the same thing. Believing in Christ, and walking in Christ, are terms synonymous. It is by faith believers walk in Christ: We walk by faith, says the apostle, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Faith is the eye of the soul which looks to Christ, and is the foot by which it goes to him, and walks in him, as it has received him. (Colossians 2:7) Walking, as it respects the other ways of doctrine and duty, signifies an embracing of them, and obedience to them; for as there is faith, and wherever it is in truth, there is and will be the obedience of faith; such as receive Christ and his gospel truly, obey from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to them; (Romans 6:17) and are desirous of walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:6) They make Christ the pattern and example, after whom they would copy, and would willingly walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6) Now walking in both these senses,
1. Supposes life. A dead man cannot walk, nor even stand upon his feet. Men in a state of nature are dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1, 1 Timothy 5:6) Whoever lives in pleasure, in sinful lusts and pleasures, are dead while they live. There must be a principle of life implanted in them; the Spirit of life from Christ must enter into them; breath from the Almighty must come into them, as in the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, ere they will stand upon their feet, walk in Christ and in his ways, believe in him, or obey him truly.
2. This supposes strength as well as life. There may be life where there is no strength to walk; but there can be no strength where there is no life. Men in a state of unregeneracy, as they are destitute of life, they are without strength. (Romans 5:6) In this condition are God’s elect, whilst unregenerate, and so they were when Christ died for them: Nor can they do anything without him, though all things through him strengthening of them. In him are both their righteousness and strength; to him they look for both; and as they receive the one, so they do the other from him, whereby they are enabled to walk in him, and in his ways; and such only are capable thereof: Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways of them. (Psalm 84:5)
3. This requires wisdom and guidance as well as strength. It is said of the wicked, that there is no judgment in their goings: (Isaiah 59:8) they are like children that have no discretion; cannot conduct themselves; they are without a true guide, rule and direction; they walk after the flesh, the dictates of carnal reason: and, indeed the way of man, even of a good man, is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps; (Jeremiah 10:23) the Spirit of God is his guide and director; by him his steps are ordered; he holds him by his hand; he teaches him to go, and guides him with his counsel.
4. Walking denotes a progression, a going on, and forwards. It is not taking a step or two that can properly be called walking. There are some persons who take but, as it were, a step or two in religion; in the way of God: they are no sooner in, but they out again; this cannot be said to be walking in the way; nor are such who have put their hand to the plough, and look back, fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62) But true walkers in Christ are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe, continue to believe, go on believing in Christ, walking in him, and in his truths and ordinances, to the saving of the soul; that is, until they receive the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls. (Hebrews 10:39, 1 Peter 1:9)