Walk Before Me & Be Blameless
John emphasizes the importance of deepening our relationship with God through continual seeking, seeing, and walking in His presence. He begins by praying for faith to bring all thoughts into captivity and to be fully subject to Christ, acknowledging the privilege of gathering in His name where He is present. He highlights that our spiritual journey is a process of unfolding revelation, much like Abraham’s, who knew God more deeply over time. John stresses that God desires to reveal Himself more and more, urging believers to ask for a seeing heart that perceives His ways and a longing to know Him intimately. He discusses the significance of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, which requires intentionality and cost—denying self and guarding one’s heart. The speaker underscores that true fullness and maturity come from a yielded heart, submitted to God's will, and a loving heart that responds to His love. He warns against relying on fleshly efforts or spiritual gifting without submission and love, illustrating how self-interest can lead to failure. Ultimately, John calls believers to guard their hearts diligently, seek God's face continually, and walk blamelessly before Him, trusting that as they do, He will support and reveal Himself more fully, leading them into eternal glory with Christ.
Main Points Outline
- Importance of prayer and faith to bring thoughts captive and submit to Christ
- Spiritual journey as a process of unfolding revelation, like Abraham’s experience
- Desire for a seeing heart to perceive God's ways and know Him intimately
- Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High requires intentionality and sacrifice
- Fullness and maturity come through a yielded, submissive, and loving heart
- Avoid reliance on fleshly efforts or spiritual gifts without submission and love
- Guard your heart diligently and seek God's presence continually
- Trust that God supports those whose hearts are fully His and reveals Himself more
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
