Walking with God by Faith

What a terrible effect sin had on mankind in a relatively short period of time.  “The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.  The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain” (Genesis 6:5-6).  In the midst of this wickedness, one man stood out.  His name was Enoch.  Every other descendant of Adam is described as having “lived” a certain number of years.  Of Enoch we are told that “after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters” (Genesis 6:22).  Others lived a certain number of years, but Enoch “walked with God.”  In order to walk with someone you must be in agreement with them.  This is how Enoch lived, in agreement with the will of the LORD, following Him, devoting himself to pleasing God. 

What a stark contrast Enoch’s life would have been to the great wickedness of humanity as a whole.  While the LORD’s heart was filled with pain because of mankind’s rebellion, the time He spent walking with Enoch each day must have been a source of joy and pleasure.  As a result we are told, “Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years.  Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:23-24).  The writer of Hebrews explains: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:5-6).  Enoch earnestly sought the LORD and He rewarded him by taking Enoch out of this life into His eternal presence without tasting death.  Like Elijah who was swept up into heaven in a fiery chariot “Enoch could not be found, because God had taken him away.”  We know, however, that “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  This has been true ever since Adam and Eve fell into sin.  So how is it that Enoch, although he must have been a sinner, was rewarded by escaping the wages of sin, which is death?  It was by grace through faith.  Remember what Hebrews 11:5 says, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life.”  “By faith” means that Enoch’s trust in the LORD was met with grace that rescued him from death and brought him to his eternal reward.  So these simple words, “he was no more” are a testament to the grace of God.   

Although almost every human being from the dawn of time has had to taste death because of our sin, God has made a way for us to cheat death.  Jesus promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25).  We may not leave this world like Enoch or Elijah, but we will join them in eternity, by the grace of God through faith in His Son. 

Copyright by the Author.