Get Up and Walk!

Tonight after studying Ephesians 5:1-21 REAL LIFE: WALK together at PAXworship a young man said to me, "I asked Jesus to come into my life tonight, for myself and not anyone else."
Acts 3 tells us about Peter and John heading to the temple when a man who had been lame from birth was being carried to his ‘office’- street spot outside the temple, to panhandle. No doubt as he had done countless times, day after day through out his life. Everyone who was in a regular routine of passing by this gate would have seen and known this poor lame beggar lying on the roadside gate yard. He asks the disciples for some coin. . Peter tells the man he has no silver or gold but what he does have he would give to the man; “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”- Peter reached and took the man by the hand and raised him up- “and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.’ The scandalous power of God in the life of those who need healing! Thank You God that YOU are still in the power of changing lives completely and in such a way as to impact the entire community! A man crippled from birth is able to walk-pitied, rejected, ignored- this man who perhaps has given up hope of being able to walk; he would never have seen any real hope of medical enhancement available- no way- no hope. Now His walk will never be the same!
Ephesians 5:1-21 Paul tells us to GET UP AND WALK! Walk in a way that shows who's kids we are...walk as a child of God.
Ch 4:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

In the next few verses God's Word will challenge us to walk in Love, Walk in Light and Walk in Wisdom- The opposite of which would be LUST, DARKNESS and FOOLISHNESS.
Love is self sacrificing acts of worship - Lust is using others for self worship
Light is a transforming relationship with God - Darkness is living out of self reliance
Wisdom is understanding that time is short, God's will is daily, and we must rely on God's Spirit. Foolishness is living for the immediate, self gratification, and under the control of what you can 'use' (money, sex, drugs, beauty, fame, etc.)
Tonight God's Spirit broke through to the life of a young addict. Even in the midst of confusion and fear for the future; longing to be set free but not sure if it is possible, longing to WALK! In the Jewish mindset the idea of one's name carried with it the authority and power of that person themselves, the very nature of that person.
"In the name of Jesus Christ walk!" This is the hope of healing and purpose of life that we can WALK in. This young street friend is about to take some first steps by the power of God's Spirit to understanding freedom in Christ. What a blessing that we get to journey with him!