As a child I loved walking with my father when he would take me along with him to the hardware store or to visit other locations. And when my wife and I were engaged and later married, we enjoyed walking together hand in hand. Later, when we became parents, we treasured the times we walked with our little daughter and son while holding their hands.
Walking together with someone in a spirit of harmony is gratifying and fulfilling. What about when it comes to a relationship with God? Is it possible to have such oneness with your Heavenly Father? How do you develop such a relationship if you’ve never had one—or if you have but it’s become less than fulfilling? Whatever your current situation is, it can be changed for the better. You can experience your Creator’s great desire for you to walk with Him in unity and peace.
Indeed, God seeks a very close relationship with you and wants only what is in your best interest (Deuteronomy 5:33 Deuteronomy 5:33You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
American King James Version×; Psalms 20:4 Psalms 20:4Grant you according to your own heart, and fulfill all your counsel.
American King James Version×). To enjoy such a meaningful rapport with God, it will be essential for you to take some important actions.
It begins with your willingness to read God’s Word, the Bible, with a special emphasis on gaining a better understanding of His greatness, glory and goodness (Isaiah 42:5 Isaiah 42:5Thus said God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
American King James Version×). Doing so can motivate you to want to walk with Him, as you come to grasp more and more how deeply He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
American King James Version×). Walking with God can be described as loving and respecting Him so much that you choose to follow His virtuous ways while rejecting all contrary ways (Psalms 1:1-3 Psalms 1:1-3 [1] Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
American King James Version×).
God’s word is a lamp, giving light where you walk
God is extremely pleased when you commit yourself to seeking Him and His way of life through the study of His divinely revealed knowledge and wisdom. The Bible says that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
American King James Version×).
The Bible shows us the way to go. Psalms 119:105 Psalms 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
American King James Version×addresses God, declaring, “Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk” (Contemporary English Version, emphasis added throughout). Also, King Solomon of ancient Israel penned: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.
[6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
American King James Version×).
To walk with God, then, you need to acknowledge that He knows what is most important and be willing to trust in Him in every situation, no matter how troublesome (Proverbs 16:3 Proverbs 16:3Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.
American King James Version×). King David expressed it this way: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4 Psalms 23:4Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
American King James Version×).
Not only does the Bible give you amazing insight about God and His righteousness, but it provides outstanding examples of individuals who diligently lived “the way of God” (Acts 18:26 Acts 18:26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.
American King James Version×). For instance, the patriarchs Enoch and Noah “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22 Genesis 5:22And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
American King James Version×; 6:9). The Creator directed His faithful friend Abraham, “Walk before Me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1 Genesis 17:1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.
American King James Version×; James 2:23 James 2:23And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
American King James Version×). God called King David “a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22 Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up to them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
American King James Version×).
A devoted priest named Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth (cousin of Mary, mother of Jesus), were described as “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6 Luke 1:6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
American King James Version×). Also, Moses, Sarah, Rahab, the New Testament apostles and many others walked faithfully with God (see Hebrews 11).
Jesus Christ made it possible for you to walk with God
As you study the Scriptures you discover that your walk with God was made possible because Jesus Christ walked in complete harmony and unity with His Heavenly Father. Christ said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38 John 6:38For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
American King James Version×).
Jesus gave up the glory He formerly had with His Father to become a human being. Then as a relatively young man He freely laid down His life as a sacrifice for you, me and all people. The Bible explains that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23 Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
American King James Version×), meaning every human being has disobeyed God’s commandments, and that as a result we have all earned the penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23 Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
American King James Version×).
However, since “God is love” (1 John 4:8 1 John 4:8He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.
American King James Version×, 16), is “full of mercy” (James 3:17 James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
American King James Version×) and is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
American King James Version×), He made it possible for you to be released from your sentence of death.
A well-known biblical passage tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
American King James Version×). Jesus suffered the punishment you and I deserved so that we could have the astonishing opportunity to obtain everlasting life (Romans 3:23-25 Romans 3:23-25 [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
American King James Version×; 1 Peter 1:18-19 1 Peter 1:18-19 [18] For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
American King James Version×).
Having been restored to divine glory following His resurrection from the dead, Christ is now at the right hand of God the Father in heaven (1 Peter 3:22 1 Peter 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.
American King James Version×). As the living Head of His Church, Jesus leads into salvation all people who choose to follow God’s way of life (Colossians 1:18 Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
American King James Version×; Acts 4:12 Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
American King James Version×).
Repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit
Because of God’s great love, righteousness and patience, He graciously directs you to an exciting, life-altering decision (Romans 2:4 Romans 2:4Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
American King James Version×). This involves your willingness to personally accept Jesus Christ’s sacrifice by repenting of your sins and committing yourself to obey God’s commandments.
Repentance means that you come to see yourself as a sinner, are deeply remorseful of that flawed condition and want to entirely change the way you think and act going forward. Moreover, you earnestly want God to create within you a “clean heart” and “loyal spirit” (Psalms 51:10 Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
American King James Version×, New Living Translation) so that you can turn away from wrongdoing to obedience to God’s laws.
In this you must develop and exercise faith in God—trusting Him for forgiveness and for His help to walk in His ways, confident in the wonderful future He intends for you and all who will walk with Him. (To learn more, be sure to read our free study guide You Can Have Living Faith.)
Following close behind repentance and faith toward God is baptism—complete immersion in water—indicating you have fully accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for your sins. It represents the death and burial of your former way of life, symbolically washed away in the baptismal water. Then, your rising out of the water is emblematic of a resurrection to a new, robust life in Christ. As the apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:4 Romans 6:4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
American King James Version×, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
The next step after baptism in the biblical conversion process is the laying on of hands by one or more of God’s ordained ministers (Acts 19:6 Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
American King James Version×; 8:14-17). That’s when God gives you the wonderful gift of His Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6 Acts 19:6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
American King James Version×; 2:38), which will guide your mind, attitude and actions toward godliness and away from sin and selfishness.
Rather than the Holy Spirit being a third person in a trinity, as many think, the Bible reveals it to be the very essence of God’s power, mind and nature (Micah 3:8 Micah 3:8But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
American King James Version×; 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
American King James Version×). God’s Spirit helps you to be transformed into a person who has an intense desire and motivation to “walk according to His commandments” (2 John 1:6 2 John 1:6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
American King James Version×).
God’s Holy Spirit aids you in thinking and acting as Jesus did—having the very “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 1 Corinthians 2:16For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
American King James Version×). It helps you resist sin and overcome wrong habits. (To learn more, download or request our free study guides What You Need to Know About Baptism and Is God a Trinity?)
To be sure, nothing God asks of you will be too hard to achieve once you have His awesome spiritual strength working within you (Romans 8:26-28 Romans 8:26-28 [26] Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
[27] And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
American King James Version×). Paul prayed “that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him . . . the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20 Ephesians 1:19-20 [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
[20] Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
American King James Version×, NLT).
Walk as Jesus walked by keeping the commandments
Through God’s Spirit you not only can love and be devoted to God, but you also gain an eagerness to obey His laws—laws He designed as a blessing and benefit for you. This involves accepting the Ten Commandments as the foundation of your life and actions. God inspired His prophet Jeremiah to write: “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you’” (Jeremiah 7:23 Jeremiah 7:23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people: and walk you in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well to you.
American King James Version×).
When a person asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17 Matthew 19:17And he said to him, Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.
American King James Version×). Jesus also said: “Who-ever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him” (John 14:21 John 14:21He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
American King James Version×, Berean Study Bible).
The apostle John wrote of following Christ: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:3-6 1 John 2:3-6 [3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
[4] He that said, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
[5] But whoever keeps his word, in him truly is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
[6] He that said he stays in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
American King James Version×).
The apostle Peter similarly wrote, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21 1 Peter 2:21For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps:
American King James Version×). Regarding God’s commandments, Paul stated, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12 Romans 7:12Why the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
American King James Version×). He also wrote, “I delight in the law of God” (verse 22).
Therefore, just like Jesus and His apostles, walking with God and following in Christ’s footsteps involve your readiness to embrace all God has commanded us. That includes observing the weekly biblical seventh-day Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), as well as God’s annual festivals, such as the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Walking with God also means you need to forsake holidays and customs derived from pagan religion, as God says not to worship Him that way (Deuteronomy 12:29-32 Deuteronomy 12:29-32 [29] When the LORD your God shall cut off the nations from before you, where you go to possess them, and you succeed them, and dwell in their land;
[30] Take heed to yourself that you be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before you; and that you inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
[31] You shall not do so to the LORD your God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
[32] What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
American King James Version×; Jeremiah 10:2-5 Jeremiah 10:2-5 [2] Thus said the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
[3] For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
[4] They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
[5] They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
American King James Version×; Colossians 2:8 Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
American King James Version×). Rather, the Creator inspired the prophet Ezekiel to write: “I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:19-20 Ezekiel 20:19-20 [19] I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
[20] And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.
American King James Version×).
Walking humbly with your God
Walking with God also involves another significant spiritual quality—that of humility. God is delighted when you “walk humbly” with Him in harmony and gratitude (Micah 6:8 Micah 6:8He 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?
American King James Version×). Humility is truly the foundation of the ongoing and fulfilling relationship you can have with your Creator (2 Chronicles 7:14 2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
American King James Version×; 1 Peter 5:6 1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
American King James Version×). God says, “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor [here meaning humble] and of a contrite [or repentant] spirit, and who trembles at My word’” (Isaiah 66:2 Isaiah 66:2For all those things has my hand made, and all those things have been, said the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.
American King James Version×).
Imagine having such a friend and ally! Visualize being supported and sustained by the invincible Architect of the universe, who knows how to perfectly escort you through life’s peaks and valleys!
King David wrote, “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way” (Psalms 25:9 Psalms 25:9The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
American King James Version×). Plus, God offers you a future beyond compare in His coming divine Kingdom (Revelation 12:10 Revelation 12:10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
American King James Version×). “For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation” (Psalms 149:4 Psalms 149:4For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
American King James Version×).
What won’t God do for you if you wholeheartedly reject sin and are “clothed with humility”? (Proverbs 12:28 Proverbs 12:28In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
American King James Version×; 1 Peter 5:5 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
American King James Version×). He says, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15 Isaiah 57:15For thus said the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
American King James Version×).
Building an enduring personal relationship with God
As you walk with God by obeying His commandments, it’s crucial that you also work at building a strong, enduring personal relationship with Him. Your future in His divine family requires His ongoing involvement and help.
After God calls you to understand His truth, He wants you to be proactive in advancing your relationship with Him by communicating regularly with Him—studying the Bible to learn what He has to teach you and praying regularly to Him (Ephesians 6:18 Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
American King James Version×; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.
American King James Version×). Your life will then be blessed according to this exceptional promise: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8 James 4:8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.
American King James Version×, NLT).
Most assuredly, your Heavenly Father loves to hear what you have to say! “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:12 Jeremiah 29:12Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
American King James Version×). To emphasize this point the apostle John wrote: “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14-15 1 John 5:14-15 [14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
American King James Version×, NLT).
Walk while you have the light
Sadly, humanity in general has rejected a relationship with God and shunned the life-giving light of truth He offers in the Bible. Many people have chosen to walk without His instruction and guidance, leaving them in misery, despair and distress.
In lamenting this terrible condition, the prophet Jeremiah prayed to God, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23 Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.
American King James Version×). In the same vein, the prophet Hosea wrote of those “oppressed and broken in judgment” because they “walked by human precept” (Hosea 5:11 Hosea 5:11Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
American King James Version×). But it doesn’t have to be this way for you!
Hosea further declared: “May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take it to heart. The Lord’s ways are right, and righteous people live by following them, but sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them” (Hosea 14:9 Hosea 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
American King James Version×, Good News Translation).
Jesus Christ urges you to “walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35 John 12:35Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.
American King James Version×). Don’t ignore this opportunity. As Isaiah wrote, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6 Isaiah 55:6Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near:
American King James Version×). Consider this invitation. What are you going to do? Will you choose to walk with God?