Text: (Genesis 5:22-24)

Introduction:  The NT tells us that Enoch "did not see death, and was not found because God had translated him" (Hebrews 11:5).  I read about a little girl telling this story in a Bible class; she said something like this, "God and Enoch used to go on long walks together.  One day they went for a very, very long walk.  It got late and God said to Enoch, 'We're closer to my house than to yours; you better just come home with me.'  And he did!"  Through child's eyes we see the kind of walk with God that each of us want to have; A walk which can be realized by...

Faith in the unseen presence of God -- Enoch believed that "He is"

• He is ever present, Psalm 139:7-10 

  • This needs to be real to us -- Some years ago I remember people objecting to the song "My God and I" (#93 HFW)  because of its suggestion of the personal real presence of God.

  • When my daughter was a toddler, her imaginary friends had a more real presence than God does to most people.

• Faith is "the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

  • We "walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

  • Enoch believed "that He is" and is a rewarder (Hebrews 11:5-6)

"Pleasing God" -- Enoch "pleased God", Hebrews 11:5-6.

• Obedience, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 teaches that pleasing God involves following the Commandments.

  • In the OT, walking with God involved walking in His ways and keeping commandments, Deuteronomy 13:4; 5:33; 10:12ff.; 30:16.

  • Disobedience was referred to as walking "contrary" to God and carried with it the promise of punishment, Leviticus 26:21, 23-24

• Holiness & Purity -- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 teaches that the will of God is holiness and purity. Those "in the flesh" cannot please God, Romans 8:8

  • We must walk in the light to walk with Him, 1 John 1:7.

  • In Hosea 11:12, the prophet said, "Judah still walks with God, Even with the Holy One who is faithful."

  • Malachi commends Levi for walking with God in times past -- Malachi 2:6  "The law of truth was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away from iniquity."

  • Notice that, besides demanding personal holiness, walking with God involves turning "many away from iniquity."

  • This is the sentiment of the second verse of "O Master Let Me Walk with Thee" by Washington Gladden (#65 HFW). "Help me the slow of heart to move, By some clear winning word of love; Teach me the wayward feet to stay and guide them in the homeward way."

  • Not defiling our garments, Revelation 3:4""You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy."

Conclusion:  May each of so live that when we come to the end of life's walk with God, death itself will be no more than a resplendent walk in white to the home of God.