What does "walk" entail?
Introduction. One common word translated "walk" in the New Testament is peripateo. In the total 96 occurrences of "walk" it is used both physically and figuratively (Matt. 4: 18; 1 John 1: 6-8). "Walk" means, "...the whole round of the activities of the individual life, whether of the unregenerated..., or of the believer..." (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). A further breakdown of "walk" would be to suggest "walk" is used both positively and negatively.
Ways in which to walk. When one is scripturally baptized, one is to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6: 4). In baptism, the old man is put off and the new man is put on (Rom. 6: 6, Col. 3: 1 ff.). The Christian is commanded to "walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5: 7). Faith comes from hearing the word of God (Rom. 10: 17). God's people "walk after the Spirit" (Rom. 8: 4). This means they submit to the Spirit's teaching (the word). The very sphere of conduct is "in Christ," where all spiritual blessings are enjoyed (Col. 2: 6; Eph. 1: 3). It is essential that the saved "walk in truth" and "in wisdom" (2 John 4; Col. 4: 5, 6). Moreover, the godly "walk as he (Christ, dm) walked" (1 John 2: 6).
Ways in which not to walk. Man is not to "walk by sight" (2 Cor. 5: 7). The "show me God and I will believe" is walking by sight. Many "walk in their own ways" and "in darkness" (Acts 14: 16; 1 John 1: 6). Some in local churches "walk disorderly" (2 Thes. 3: 6). The deceitful "walk in craftiness" (2 Cor. 4: 2). The worldly "walk after the flesh" and in their "earthly members" (2 Pet. 2: 10; Col. 3).
Conclusion. The paramount point involved in "walk" is that God is concerned with how we live. He (his word) teaches how we are to live and how we are not to live. The gospel is more than just "glad tidings," it tells us how to walk (live, Gal. 2: 14).
Ways in which to walk. When one is scripturally baptized, one is to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6: 4). In baptism, the old man is put off and the new man is put on (Rom. 6: 6, Col. 3: 1 ff.). The Christian is commanded to "walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5: 7). Faith comes from hearing the word of God (Rom. 10: 17). God's people "walk after the Spirit" (Rom. 8: 4). This means they submit to the Spirit's teaching (the word). The very sphere of conduct is "in Christ," where all spiritual blessings are enjoyed (Col. 2: 6; Eph. 1: 3). It is essential that the saved "walk in truth" and "in wisdom" (2 John 4; Col. 4: 5, 6). Moreover, the godly "walk as he (Christ, dm) walked" (1 John 2: 6).
Ways in which not to walk. Man is not to "walk by sight" (2 Cor. 5: 7). The "show me God and I will believe" is walking by sight. Many "walk in their own ways" and "in darkness" (Acts 14: 16; 1 John 1: 6). Some in local churches "walk disorderly" (2 Thes. 3: 6). The deceitful "walk in craftiness" (2 Cor. 4: 2). The worldly "walk after the flesh" and in their "earthly members" (2 Pet. 2: 10; Col. 3).
Conclusion. The paramount point involved in "walk" is that God is concerned with how we live. He (his word) teaches how we are to live and how we are not to live. The gospel is more than just "glad tidings," it tells us how to walk (live, Gal. 2: 14).