GONNA WALK LIKE A SON

Job 23:8-12, 2 Cr 4:11, Eph 5:8-9, Col 3:3, 1Jo 3:9

THE SCENARIO: Huios has resolved to walk like a son; like a son of Jehovah God that is. He said to himself one day: 'I'm gonna walk like a son and talk like a son, I'm gonna flat out be a son of God—today, right here, right now. I'm gonna do it, and my Father God will honor that and help me to do it.'

In the outworking of this scenario please consider the following:

1. Huios has got some pretty ambitious ideas here wouldn't you say? Or maybe not—what do you think, can he do it? Should he even be trying this, after all, he's sure to fail isn't he? And what about all the bruising sorts of self-denial He will probably have to put himself through—not a very joyous Christian life living like that is it? What's the point of a resolution like this? Please be Scriptural in your answers—defend each answer with Scripture please. Use biblical precedents as much as possible, relevant verses otherwise.

2 What does it mean to walk like a son/daughter of Jehovah God; who's life can possibly guide Huios aright here? Where does the power to do this come from? Please discuss these verses in that regard: Jhn 13:14-15, 14:16-18, Gal 5:22-25, 1Pe 2:21. What is meant by the phrase 'God lives out the Christian life through us (cf. Gal 2:20)?' Does that phrase suggest the responsibility is all God's? Please cite Scripture in your answers.

3. What does one's talk (specific speech) say about one's walk? What do those “little” slips of the tongue reveal about our hearts (toward God) as Christians? Would you agree that if Huios is walking like a son of God he will be talking like a son of God by default and vice versa?

4. Consider how it must delight God to notice that someone would resolve to “be like Daddy” so to speak. How is resolving to walk like a son/daughter of God tantamount to resolving to be like our Father God?

5. It seems a surety that God would do all that is necessary to help Huios along the way in their efforts (consider Eph 2:10). Help like strategic victories, discipline, bringing other Christians into Huios' life, etc., comes to mind. Can you think of some other ways God might help here? Have you ever tried to do what Huios is doing? Did God help you? How?

6. Let us utilize a small bit of the negative for a moment. For starters, why does overweening pride put a sham on one's Christian sonship? How about deceit, gossip, slander? We could list other negative aspects here, but the point is clear—these reflect not sonship of Jehovah God, but of His enemy of course. To be Christian daughters and sons of Jehovah God, we must put on the positive (Jesus' ways) and shake off the negative (Satan's ways). Is doing the former sufficient for taking care of the latter? Is the former connected with Christian discipleship somehow—if yes, how; if not, why not? How would you outline the salient points of Christian discipleship? Would you consider yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ (the Son)? Why/why not?

7. Dear Christian friend, may Jehovah God bless you as you honor Him by resolving to walk like a son/daughter of His. God only knows how your challenges in this are serving His overall program of Salvation. Don't give up; give it your best; lean on His help and keep after it; if you get knocked down, get up and keep walking that walk. We will be praying for our Christian brethren in this regard; please pray for us that our walk please and honor Him as well. Christ bless you Christian friend.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE LEGEND

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