Book of Enoch

COMMENDATIONS...
It is suggested that the name Enoch may mean, "experienced." The

Bible in Genesis 5:24 picture him as the one who "walked with
God." This could mean that Enoch experienced God in all details
of his life. It also would mean that the children of God must not be
found doing evil things listed by Enoch in Jude 14.
As we read the book, how true it can be if only we walk close
with God, holding his hands, though we may stumble on the way,
he will hold us from falling and help us to reach Home.
Rev. Dr. J.D. Arulamani
Christian Education Ministries, Bangalore, India
The exposition on how Enoch would have constantly and

consistently walked with God for 300 long years is very encouraging
and motivating to have a closer walk with the Lord.
Mr. Neegal Naronah, Qatar
ENOCH
HUMBLE,
HONEST,
HOLY WALK
WITH GOD
CHANDRAKUMAR MANICKAM
Enoch: Humble, Honest, Holy Walk with God
by Chandrakumar Manickam
Copyright © 2011 by Chandrakumar Manickam
First Indian edition 2011

Reprint 2012
ISBN 978 – 93 – 80737 – 74 – 4
All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy,
recording, or any other—without prior permission of the publisher.
Scripture marked NASB is taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972 1973,1975, 1977, 1995
By the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations are taken from NKVJ, New King James Version. Copyright © 1982
by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
And from KJV, King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
All rights reserved.
Published by
Authentic Books
Logos Bhavan, Jeedimetla Village, Secunderabad 500 067, Andhra Pradesh.
www.authenticindia.in
Authentic Books is an imprint of Authentic Media, the publishing division of

OM Books Foundation.
Printed and bound in India by

Authentic Media, Secunderabad 500 067
CONTENTS
Foreword....................................................................... 7
Preface........................................................................... 9
Introduction.................................................................. 11
1. Who Can Walk with God? ............................................ 15
2. A Humble, Hand in Hand Walk with God ................... 25
3. A Secure and Intimate Walk with God .......................... 33
4. A Walk of Faith and Obedience..................................... 41
5. A Holy and Triumphant Walk with God ....................... 57
6. A Man of Character and Charisma ................................ 65
7. A Focused Walk with Goal in Life ................................. 77
8. Enoch Took the Right Step, Made the Right Choice ..... 91
9. Communion with God ................................................. 99
10. Enoch's Lifestyle As a Family Man ................................. 101
5
6 Enoch: Humble, Honest, Holy Walk with God
11. Enoch Never Took a Shortcut........................................ 105
12. Enoch Surrendered to God's Will .................................. 109
13. Enoch Inculcated Kingdom Values ................................ 117
14. Be Ready to Be Raptured.................................................. 131
About the Author............................................................... 134

FOREWORD
As a pastor, minister and author of some 25 books, it is always

interesting for me to read, particularly books about faith. After
meeting Prof. Dr. Chandrakumar Manickam for the first time
recently, it was a pleasure to read his new book Enoch. My own
personal walk with the Lord was dramatically changed by what
many refer to as "The Word of Faith" message some 25 years ago.
I love books that teach me how to walk by faith and not by sight
and Enoch is such a book. Some of the highlights that impacted me
include, "The Power of Simple Faith," where Dr. Manickam talks
about Enoch's walk of faith and obedience. Another chapter,
"Enoch Walked by Faith and not by Sight or Feeling," a teaching
that is so desperately needed in today's church, where so many are
ruled by their senses.
I believe this book will prove a valuable addition to any believer's

collection, particularly anyone who wishes to learn to grow in faith.
Dr. Col Stringer

President of ICFM, Australia.
7
PREFACE
Apart from very little biblical accounts available, fragments of early

literature about Enoch came to light from certain manuscripts that
were found in Russia and Serbia in the recent past. It is believed to
have been so far preserved only in Slavonic. Its origin is little known,
except that in its present form it was written somewhere about the
beginning of the Christian era. Generally it is believed that Egypt is
the place of its composition and its final editor was a Greek. It seems
to have influenced the New Testament writers. Jude must have been
blessed by this prophetic literature and thus includes two verses of
Enoch's prophecy in his writings (Jude 14-15).
In 1952, some manuscripts about Enoch were found among

the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jordan at Qumran Cave 4, which give us
some more insights about this wonderful saint of God. Enoch
is the first immortal patriarch and the very first prophet. Since
he lived a life of extraordinary merit, God granted a remarkable
reward by transforming and translating him to become Enoch,
the immortalized. The very name "Enoch," biblically signifies,
9
"dedicated, consecrated and separated." He lived according to his

name and became one of the most enigmatic figures of the Bible.
In the apocalyptic literature, he is described as a preacher of
repentance, a teacher of the secrets of heaven and earth and a prophet
of future events. It is said of him that after the birth of Methuselah,
he walked with God for 300 years. It was a long time for anyone to
live a consistent holy life in constant communion with God.
The greatest revelation and biblical mystery since the discovery
of the Dead Sea Scrolls is Enoch the patriarch (Genesis 5:18), the
hidden prophet, the first immortal who was translated (Genesis
5:24). As a prophet, Enoch predicted among other things, Noah's
Flood and the coming of the "Son of Man." Moreover, he wrote
the story of creation centuries before Moses wrote his story. In
fact, Enoch came 400 years before Abraham. Enoch, therefore,
becomes the first prophet in the Old Testament. An example of his
pre-eminence lies in the fact that he comes 21 generations before
Abraham. Obviously, Moses comes even later; he was the fiftieth
generation from Adam.
Enoch was the seventh from Adam in the line of Seth. This
number probably conveys the idea of divine completion and rest,
while Enoch brought about perfection in the corrupted human race.
It is an amazing fact to note that he was a contemporary of Adam
for about 318 years and that he lived alongside the other patriarchs
listed in Genesis 5 all his life. He was the father of Methuselah who
lived for 969 years, the longest number of years ever a man lived
on the face of this earth. He was the great grandfather of Noah. He
was raptured about seventy years before Noah was born. It was a
simple and yet powerful approbation for a man listed among the
generations of Adam where everyone eventually died.
INTRODUCTION
Some people "watch" history while some people "make" history.

Some shine in all the brilliance of great achievements, and some
are renowned for the conquest of kingdoms. Others have gathered
laurels in arts and science and have illumined the world with flashes
of their genius, and the trumpet of fame has loudly sounded the
deeds of these. But more is said in praise of this man of God, Enoch
in a few short words, than is said of them all. His whole character is
summed up in four words: Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24).
Enoch walked for 300 years in the awesome presence of God.
He never lost his passion for God. He always said, But as for me the
nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge. . .
(Psalm 73:28). He lived with such extraordinary piety, that when the
time came for him to leave the world, God simply translated him.
Enoch was a man of outstanding sanctity. It is probable that
the language of the psalmist reflects the story of Enoch: But God
will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me
11
(Psalm 49:15). "Thou hast taken hold of my right hand with Thy
counsel thou wilt guide me, and afterwards receive me to glory"
(Psalm 73:24). He was the first man to triumph over death and
enter the heavenly abode.
The expression “walk before God” described God’s providential
care for us. God wants to keep his eyes on us, leading us safely in
our lives (Genesis 48:15; Psalm 56:13). This happens as we walk
blamelessly (Genesis 17:1) in full commitment to him, in faithfulness,
in righteousness and in uprightness of heart (1 Kings 3:6).
You can also "walk behind" or "follow after the Lord." This
phrase describes following God in obedience like David kept God's
commandments and followed him with all his heart (1 Kings 14:8;
2 Kings 23:3).
"Walking with God" expresses intimacy, friendship and
companionship. Apart from walking before or behind him, we
should walk with him by his side. There could be no experience as
compared with walking in union with God. To walk with God, a
person must also endure hardships. It has been said, "Anyone can
start a marathon; but few can finish."
Enoch was a man of faith; and he lived a life of faith. He had this
testimony, that he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5, 6). Enoch walked in
company with the living God with the principles and practice, the
privileges and perseverance of a true believer. Living constantly in
the presence of God, he confided in God and was loved by him.
You need to understand that this kind of walk was not exclusive
to Enoch and Noah alone, but it was an example and expression
of something every believer in Christ may experience today. This
walk is nothing less than one's personal, intimate relationship with
Jesus Christ.
"And to Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his
Introduction 13
name Enoch. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord"
(Genesis 4:26). The New Revised Standard Version says that, "At
that time, people began to invoke the name of the Lord." Various
commentators have given possible meaning to the phrase "call on
the name of the Lord," which includes: Called themselves by the
name of the Lord, Jehova; began to worship corporately, instead of
individually; distinguished themselves from the followers of Cain as
"sons of men" by calling themselves the "sons of God."
But after Enoch was born he began to preach in the name of
YHWH, which no one had done before. Since Adam's sin, the
personal relationship with God was severed and it was Enoch who
restored a personal relationship with God.
Through such a personal relationship Enoch was raptured;
Noah was justified and Abraham was blessed (Genesis 5:24; 6:9;
18:16).
There is a final restoration of relationship. That is, walking with
God for eternity. We read in Revelation 21:23-25, The city does not
need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it
light, and the lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and
the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will
its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
1
WHO CAN WALK WITH GOD?

Enoch walked a path quite different from his contemporaries.
He was aware of the Fall, and the wonderful promise of the
redemption of mankind. He relied upon the Savior to come. After
the birth of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience of
understanding the Father-Son relationship, and was drawn into a
closer relationship with God the Father. He realized more fully his
own obligations and responsibility as a child of God, and learned a
precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men in the gift of a
Savior to come.
Three Things That Enoch Did

He pleased God, he walked with God and he witnessed for God.
This is the entirety of what God desires of any of us. 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.
15
1. Enoch pleased God

Pleasing God ought to be the major motive of every believer in
Christ. Children should live to please their father and mother. The
Holy Spirit works in our lives. . .both to will and to do of His good
pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Enoch walked with God, and before
God called him to heaven, Enoch. . .had this testimony, that he
pleased God (Hebrews 11:5). Jesus said, "I always do those things that
please him" (John 8:29).
Everyone has a tendency to please someone. Many people live
to please themselves. They have no sensitivity to the needs of others.
William Hazlitt said, "The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty,
to think, feel, and do just as one pleases." That advice may work for
a vacation but it could never work in the everyday affairs of life.
Believers in Christ cannot go through life pleasing only themselves
(Romans 15:1).
You must also be careful when it comes to pleasing others. It is
possible to both please others and honor God, but it is also possible to
dishonor God. "For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant
of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). This had been Paul's attitude when he
ministered in Thessalonica. "Even so we speak, not as pleasing men
but God, who trieth our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Pleasing God means much more than simply doing God's will.
It is possible to obey God and yet not please him. Jonah is a case in
point. He obeyed God and did what he was commanded, but his
heart was not in it. God blessed his Word but he could not bless
his servant. So Jonah sat outside the city of Nineveh angry with
everybody, including the Lord! Our obedience should be "not with
eye service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6).
How do we know what pleases God? How do we know what
Who Can Walk with God? 17
pleases an earthly father? It is by listening to him and living with

him. As we read the Word, and as we fellowship in worship and
service, day by day, we get to know the heart of God; and this opens
us up to the will of God.
2. Enoch walked with God

To walk with God means: To begin the day with God in prayer, to
lift up your heart to the throne of God in praise and worship, to let
the Word of God sink in your heart and hallow all your thoughts
and sweeten all your care and to conclude your day with God,
confessing your sins or shortcomings trusting in the Lord's atoning
blood which brings forgiveness and peace and then lie down on
your bed with God, who gives sleep to his beloved. If you have
such a daily walk with God, then, when the call comes you will
automatically be transported to the heavenly abode.
Some people are trying to walk with God in the same way that
they learned to walk as babies. A child learns to walk by trial and
error, standing across the room taking wobbly footsteps towards his
father as he calls him from the distance "Come to Daddy," falling
down repeatedly as he tries to get it right. But this is not the way
that our heavenly Father deals with us. The Bible says that God is
able to keep us from falling. Consider Jude 24-25: "Now unto him
that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise
God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both
now and for ever. Amen." Though he is able to keep us from falling,
we do fall and hurt ourselves due to our ignorance or disobedience
to his commandments.
There are some major differences between being a child in the
natural world today and being a child spiritually. Generally parents
want their children to learn to take care of themselves; to stand on

their own feet. After all, they won't be there for them forever. So,
from babyhood to adulthood we are continually learning how to
take care of ourselves.
In contrast, God's expectation from you is very different. He is
your eternal Father; he is always available to you. Instead of wanting
you to become increasingly independent, he wants you to learn to
be increasingly dependent on him. He wants you to walk with him,
your hand in his. If you take a walk holding hands with a two-year-
old, you will realize that very often the child tries to free from your
hold. He can't stand holding your hand. He wants to walk free—on
his own. Instead of clinging to your Father's hand, you have this
tendency to take off on your own wobbly two feet. There are so
many things that take your attention from him. Sometimes you
let the cares of this world pull you away from him, and instead of
holding tighter to his hand, you let go. And inevitably you fall down
and hurt yourself and then sink into discouragement. He is able to
keep you from falling as long as your hand is in his hand.
Learning to walk with our heavenly Father is somewhat

different. He wants us to reach up and take his hand, but he doesn't
want us to ever let go. In fact, his desire is that we become more and
more dependent upon him for every step. That's because he wants
to take us to places we have never been or to heights we can't even
imagine. God wants us to soar far above the limitations of our lives
and ourselves. But you need to take the first step. If you don't, you
will never learn to walk with him. You can be so afraid of taking
a wrong step that you fail to take any step at all. God didn't part
the waters of the Jordan River for the Israelites until they first put
their feet in the water (Joshua 3:15-16). That's because God always
requires the first step to be yours. Will you reach up to take his hand
and say, "Lead me in the path you have for me, Lord. From this day
on I want to walk with you. I take this step of faith and I trust you
to meet me here. Let my heart be in tune with your heart."
No matter how far away from God you have gone, when you
surrender your life to the Lord, a path is carved from where you are
to where you are supposed to be, and he puts you on it. This is the
miraculous power of God. If the path you have been on is crooked,
he will make it straight. If you are headed in the wrong direction,
he will turn you around. If you have come to a standstill, he will get
you moving. If you are going around in circles, he will correct your
course and cause you to arrive at your destination. The simple act of
giving your life to him will immediately put you on the correct path
and aim you in the right direction.
It doesn't matter whatever situation you are in now. Wherever
you are, God has a path for you that is filled with blessings. Just
reach out and hold his hands and say to him, "Show me the way in
which I should walk and the thing I should do" (Jeremiah 42:3).
He will do that and, if you carefully follow as he guides you, he will
not let you get off the path. With each step he will reveal more of
himself. Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk
in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left (Isaiah 30:21). So
reach up right now and hold on to him, he will not let you fall.
Perseverance and continuance

The term "walked" implies perseverance and continuance. Enoch
persevered in faith. His communion with God was steady and
constant. The saving grace and the fathomless love of God through
the forthcoming Savior became the subject of his meditations day
and night; and with all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal
that love to the people among whom he dwelt. Enoch's walk with
God was not in a trance or a vision, but in all the duties of his daily
life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from

the world; for he had work to do in the world. In the family and his
intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen,
he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of the Lord.
Enoch, along with Abraham, Isaac and David, was clearly a

man following the pathway God intended for him. These men
were compatible with God. Enoch was, without interruption,
conscious of the nearness of God. His walk was such that the
Lord never had to stop because Enoch never walked away from
God. Out of his faith in God and in his promise, Enoch always
walked in such a way that God could approve of every step he
took. Enoch would have been a man of prayer, of reflection upon
God's promise of a Savior, and a man of obedience. He exercised
genuine obedience and submission to God's will and Word. God
says, "Walk before Me and be blameless" (Genesis 17:1). How
blessed are those, whose ways are blameless (Psalm 119:1). The
Bible says that Noah was righteous and blameless in his time
and that he walked with God. Hence, from the life of Noah and
Enoch it is very clear that we have to live a blameless life pleasing
to God in order to walk with God.
Walking implies continuity, progress and purpose
We must regard life as a walk—a metaphor that expresses continuity,

so that every man lives a whole life, which involves progress, which
goes through a change, and which implies a goal.
In Robert Frost's, delightful little poem, the sight of snow

falling in the dark woods temporarily mesmerizes a young man and
he stops his horse to watch. And he says, "The woods are lovely,
dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before
I sleep." The point is you won't get to your desired destination,
if you permit yourself to be turned aside by worldly attractions

by the side of the road. To walk with God, is to live with him
consistently and persistently. "God is Light and in him there is
no darkness at all." Therefore, you should be found walking in his
light. You must keep moving right along in your walk with God.
Someone has said, "Even if you're in the right way, you'll get run
over if you don't keep moving."
Walking with God involves unfailing perseverance. Some people

now and then stop walking with God. Adam and Eve stopped for a
while. It is at this time when you cease to walk with God, the devil
will walk and talk with you and cause you to fall into temptation as
he did with Eve. When God came down to walk with Adam and
Madam, they were afraid and naked. But it was not so with Enoch.
He walked in close proximity with God for 300 years.
3. Enoch witnessed for God

The term "And Enoch walked with God" is itself a great testimony
of Enoch. It is a common phrase in Eastern countries denoting
constant and familiar intercourse.
In Hebrews 11:5, we are informed that he was translated to

heaven—a mighty miracle, designed to effect what ordinary means
of instruction had failed to accomplish, gave a palpable proof to an
age of almost universal unbelief that the doctrines which he had
taught (Jude 14-15) were true and that his devotedness to the cause of
God and righteousness in the midst of opposition was highly
pleasing to the mind of God.
To be a witness for God is to set God always before us, and

to act as those that are always under his eye. It is to live a life
of communion with God both in ordinances and providences.
It is to make God's Word our rule and his glory our end in all
our actions. It is to make it our constant care and endeavor

in everything to please God, and nothing to offend him. It is
to comply with his will, to concur with his designs, and to be
workers together with him.
To be a witness for God is to be followers of him as his dear
children. Enoch did not only walk after God, as all righteous people
do, but he walked with God, as if he were in heaven already. He lived
above the rate, not only of other men, but also of other saints.
Enoch was a witness in the sense of promoting his faith in God
among others. Executing the priest's office is called "walking before
God" (1 Samuel 2:30, 35; Zechariah 3:7). Enoch, it should seem,
was a priest of the Most High God, and like Noah, who is likewise
said to walk with God, he was a preacher of righteousness, and
prophesied of Christ's Second Coming, "Behold, the Lord cometh
with his holy myriads" (Jude 14). Now the Holy Spirit, instead of
saying, Enoch lived, says, Enoch walked with God; for it is the life of
a righteous man to walk with God. This was the business of Enoch's
life, his constant care and work; while others lived for themselves
and the world, he lived for God. It was the joy and support of his
life. Communion with God was to him better than life itself as per
the words of Paul, "To me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21).
The greatest testimony of Enoch's life is that, as he did not live
like the rest, so he did not die like the rest. Let us analyze the time
period of his life when Enoch was translated: It was when he had
lived but 365 years (a year of years), which, as men's ages went then,
was in the midst of his days; for there was none of the patriarchs
before the Flood that did not more than double that age. But why
did God take him so soon? Surely, because the world, which had now
grown corrupt, was not worthy of him, or because he was so much
above the world, and so weary of it, as to desire a speedy removal
out of it, or because his work was done, and done the sooner for his
minding it so closely.
We need to understand that God often takes those soonest

whom he loves best, and the time they lose on earth is gained in
heaven, to their unspeakable advantage. Enoch was translated by
God during the time when all the patriarchs mentioned in Genesis
chapter five were living, except Adam, who died fifty-seven years
before, and Noah, who was born sixty-nine years after. Enoch's
translation was a sensible encouragement to their faith and hope
concerning a future state.
We also need to analyze how the Bible expresses the incident
of Enoch's removal from this world: "He was not found, for God
took him." This statement underlines the fact that Enoch was not
any longer in this world; and it was referring to the period of his
being, but of his being here. The statement, "He was not found,"
explains the fact that, Enoch was not found by his friends, who
sought him as the sons of the prophets sought Elijah (2 Kings 2:17).
Probably he had enemies, who, some think, were in quest of him, to
put him to death in their rage against him for his eminent piety. It
appears by his prophecy that there were then many ungodly sinners,
who spoke hard speeches, and probably did hard things too, against
God's people (Jude 15), but God hid Enoch from them, not under
heaven, but in heaven.
God took Enoch's body and soul to himself in the heavenly
paradise, as afterwards he took Elijah. He was changed, as those
saints will be that shall be found alive at Christ's Second Coming.
Whenever a righteous man dies God takes him, fetches him hence,
and receives him to himself. The Bible adds concerning Enoch that,
before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God,
and this was the good report he obtained. Enoch's translation was
not only an evidence to faith of the reality of a future state, and of

the possibility of the body existing in glory in that state; but it was
an encouragement to the hope of all that walk with God that they
shall be for ever with him.
2
A HUMBLE, HAND-IN-HAND
WALK WITH GOD
Enoch and God walked together. How can two walk together except
they agree with each other and trust one another? How can two
walk together unless they open to each other with trust and faith?
God and Enoch were friends and communicated to each other their
secrets (John 14:21-22). God and Enoch loved and delighted in
each other and thus avoided many possible estrangements (Psalm
37:4). It means that he lived a life of spiritual communion and of
intimate fellowship with God.
Walking with God and faith go hand in hand. The walk with
God is not just aimless wandering; it is pressing on to victory.
Walking with God is an exhibition of a believer's life. Sometimes,
circumstances may be hiding him from your eyes and you may not
be able to see him. But you can hear his voice, you can grasp his
hand, you can catch the echoes of his steps. You know he is there,
and that is enough.
When truth walks with you, lie and falsehood will walk away.
When holiness walks hand in hand, evil desires will dissipate. Sin
25
cannot creep in between your hands. When the light walks with
you, darkness will be dispelled. When godliness walks with you,
worldliness will walk off. When gladness walks with you, sadness
will disappear. As you sojourn through the path of life, whatever
you go through will not pass through your hand that is holding on
to his hand.
The man who walks hand in hand with God exercises a living
faith. This, according to the apostle Paul, was the mainspring of all
those graces, which gained Enoch the reputation of walking with
God. By thus walking with God, the soul contracts a holy intimacy
with him. The consequence of such a close walk with God is that
we shall find support under the unavoidable trials of life. When we
are in distress, very soothing is the company of a prudent and
sympathizing friend.
Anyone who walks with God has to walk humbly. Otherwise,
God will not walk with that person; for "The proud he knoweth afar
off." The closer you draw to God the more humble you shall become.
"I have heard of Thee," said Job, "by the hearing of the ear, but now
my eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and
ashes." The whole of man's duty is summed up in doing justly, in
loving mercy, and in walking "humbly" with his God (Micah 6:8).
By walking with God, the soul contracts a holy intimacy with
him. As a consequence, it makes advances in the best of all knowledge,
the knowledge of God. An intimate walk with God affords an
opportunity to study his character, to see it developed in the free
communications he make, and to listen to his instructions. He is the
great instructor of humankind; but his teachings are not extended
to those who live estranged from him. Such closer inspection and
clearer discernment of God are the most powerful means to sanctify
A Humble, Hand-in-Hand Walk with God 27
your life. Views of God are transforming. While "with open face"
we behold "as in a glass the glory of the Lord," "we are changed into the
same image from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
An intimacy between God and you would increase mutual

affection. The more you know of God the more you will love
him, and of course the more you will be loved. What a tender
friendship did Enoch and his God contract for each other during
their intimate communion for 300 years. If you would like to enjoy
the same blessedness, you must, like Enoch, walk with God. Such
an intimacy between God and you cannot fail to establish mutual
confidence. The more God is seen, the more securely you can commit
the management of all your interests to him, and venture all your
endeavors trusting upon the truth of his word. On the other hand
the more this confidence is developed, the more God will confide
in such a person. He will not trust those to whom he would say, "I
know you not"; but of those who are intimate with him and confide
in him, he will say, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie
(Isaiah 63:8).
It brings such great peace and joy to have this confidence in

God and to know that he has this confidence in you. Enoch was
totally dedicated to the Lord and nothing else took precedence over
that relationship. Such an intimacy with God will keep you away
from bad company. When you are in the very presence of God,
neither sin nor Satan dares to invade; neither the world nor any of
its perplexing factors will intrude into your day-to-day life.
Enoch submitted himself into God's hands. It all depends in

whose hands you are. Put your concerns, worries, fears, hopes,
dreams, families and relationships in God's hands. That was the
secret of Enoch.
The Power of Death

An old man who was near death heard his three sons in the room
counting the cost and quarreling over the funeral arrangements. The
old man hearing their conversation, raised himself from the bed and
muttered to the boys, "Stop arguing, just get me a pair of pants and
I'll walk to the cemetery."
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND
HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he
obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to
God (Hebrews 11:5).
God carried him across death. Death is the river that divides
this world from the world to come, and here is a man who never
experienced death at all. God picked him up and carried him and
put him on the other shore. The life of faith was thus crowned by
entrance into the life of perfect fellowship above.
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be
changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;
for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable,
and we will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Just as Enoch was
translated to heaven without seeing death so also will those of the
Lord's people who remain on earth till the time of his return.
The Preciousness of Death

A rich but very eccentric man died. The pastor, who was young and
new to the church, thought it a fitting opportunity to call on and
comfort the widow. "You must not grieve over much," he told her.
"The body that lies here is not your husband. It is merely a hull, an
empty shell. Yes, the nut has gone to heaven."
Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones
(Psalm 116:15). Death in itself cannot be precious; it is terrible. It
cannot be a precious thing to God to see the noblest works of his
hand torn in pieces, his skillful embroidery in the human body rent,
defiled, and given over to decay. Death in itself cannot be a theme
for rejoicing with God. But death in the case of believers in Christ
is another matter. To them, it is not death to die; it is a departure
out of this world unto the Father. To the saints the sting of death is
gone, and the victory of the grave is removed; it is no more a penalty
but a privilege to die.
"God Was not Off-duty"

John and Jane Martin with three sons Paul, Sam and Allen had been
in India working in different fields till 1978. Then they went back to
Cambridge, England. On August 24, 1988, their second son aged
25 died in an accident. Here are the details as written by the Martins
to their few friends in India:
We believe you would like to know more details of the
homecall (on August 24) of Sam, our second son, aged 25.
Because we miss Sam so much, it is hard for us to accept
willingly what the Good Shepherd has allowed to happen. We
need to trust wholly in his love which is stronger than death.
Sam, a Chemistry teacher at Hinchingbrooke School
in Huntingdon, was spending his summer holidays visiting
China and the Himalayan foothills in Pakistan. He wrote to
us several times, describing the journey along the Karakoram
Highway into China, his visit to a teacher friend in Kashgar,
his journey to the Great Wall, and the caves of 1,000 Buddhas.
He wrote enthusiastically that he was keeping well and shared
his assurance that God was looking after him.
On his way back through Pakistan, Sam planned to visit
the Christian School in Murree, and to reach Islamabad by
August 29. Stopping in the Gilgit area, he stayed in a tourist

hotel at Sust, a village near the border with China. On August
24, while trekking around the Kal Gordon mountain, he fell
about 120 feet when climbing to a vantage point to take a
photograph. His body was found next day under a tree. The
nature of his injuries suggests that he fell on to a tree, and that
he died soon after.
The local authorities arranged a burial in the cemetery at
Gilgit. Mr. Rennie Gold, a CMS missionary and a family friend,
very kindly went to Gilgit as our representative one week later.
He conducted a service at the cemetery, with a couple from the
tiny Christian community there. We ourselves hope to make a
visit in due course. At the service held in Queen Edith Chapel
here, many of Sam's endearing qualities were recalled with
thanksgiving to God, and we as a family entrusted him and
ourselves to God's love.
Two weeks later, another service was held in Godmanchester
at the Baptist Church where Sam worshiped. Many staffs and
students from Hinchingbrooke School attended. The glorious
fact of Christ's resurrection and ours was affirmed, and several
spoke of Sam's straightforward Christian lifestyle.
How thankful we are for many happy memories of Sam. It
is hard to believe that he has gone, and we shall not see him till
Jesus returns. Often the painful truth of our loss breaks through
our hearts. We miss his cheerful smile and loving concern. He
gave much. "With God there are mysteries, but no mistakes."
God was not "off-duty," when Sam fell: He loved Sam and
he took him. Jesus said, "No one can snatch them out of my
hand" and our eternal safety in his hand is the reality which
undergirds us now. Sam has entered the close presence of the
One who has overcome death. Though he is out of sight, he is
not far away and he is unbelievably happy. Sam's longings to
know God fully are now wonderfully realized."
Precious Life; Glorious Death

God has lavished us with his internal peace that passeth all
understanding. Our daughter Rebecca was born with Down

syndrome. Even after three days Rebecca neither opened her eyes
nor cried. She seemed to sleep all the time. When the doctors told
me that they suspect Rebecca to be a Down syndrome child I was not
greatly moved. Deep down in my heart I had a confidence that this
child is a gift from God and nothing could go wrong and whatever
has happened has to be definitely in the plan of God. I went on to
fast and pray during the day and after eleven days the Lord very
clearly confirmed to me that Rebecca was his best gift given to us
and that she will bring glory to his name.
The child specialist suspected Rebecca to have an enlarged

heart and probably a hole in the heart and said that she might have
to undergo a heart surgery. We both prayed that the Lord should
either heal her or take her to be with him. At the same time we
were willing to accept whatever may be his will in this matter. We
expressed our desire to the Lord that we do not want Rebecca to be
a hindrance to our ministry in anyway but that many lives should
be touched through her and she should bring glory to God, as that
is the purpose for which she has been created.
Our eldest daughter, Ruth is a rare gift to us given by God

specially to cope with Rebecca. Even from the time Ruth was five
she started taking care of her sister. She would feed Rebecca, change
the nappies, play with her and put her to sleep. She would gladly
take care of her when we went out for meetings in the evenings.
Even though Rebecca was not totally healed during her lifetime
in this world, we know and believe that she has now received a
glorified and perfect body in heaven. We believe she is happily
singing, dancing and praising God and enjoying the presence of
God. Through the 21 years of her life, she gave us the very things we
lacked: courage, patience, and love towards other specially challenged

children and the motivation to reach other parents of such children.
She has changed our family into better, compassionate Christians.
3
A SECURE AND INTIMATE

WALK WITH GOD
Whenever Enoch's spirit heard the thunders at a distance, his refuge

was nearer than the danger, and he stepped in and was safe. He
hid himself where no evil or enemy (though searching for him
throughout the world), could find him.
The psalmist says, But as for me, the nearness of God is my

good. . .(Psalm 73:28). Enoch's life very much reflects on this
Psalm. God's strong grip supports and strengthens us when we go
through unavoidable trials of life. Of course it is worthwhile to be a
while in the furnace, for the sake of walking there with one in "the
form of the Son of God." God is faithful not to suffer anyone who
cleaves to him to err by his side without rebuke. To possess such a
companionship is one of the greatest blessings of life.
While walking with God, you can receive a clear view of his
providence. You can have a clear discernment of the glories of the
heavenly world, and a peaceful assurance of his eternal love. Another
effect of walking with God is a greater preparation to be effective
33
witnesses. In proportion as the mind becomes wiser by conversing

with God, and holier by transforming views of him, it is fitted for
stronger and more persevering and better directed efforts for the
good of others and for the glory of his kingdom.
Walking with God implies that there is a road or a way

existing. Very often the Bible talks about "the way of the Lord."
The commandments of God define and identify the road
(Deuteronomy 8:6). To walk on this road is to walk with him. In
the New Testament this road becomes a living One, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the embodiment of God's will for his followers, because he
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father,
but through Me" (John 14:6).
Do you leap out of bed in the mornings with a song on your lips,
a sparkle in your eye and a spring in your step? Do you rise to face
the day and all its challenges with a more cautious, slower process
checking on your current mental and physical capabilities? Do you
have a creative program that breaks with the past, one that wouldn't
ruffle many feathers in a place where innovation is welcomed and
change is appreciated? Or are you one among those who wake up,
shower up, pack up lunch, blow up the hair, plug up the crock pot,
and break for the work after a quick glance at the morning paper to
make sure the world is not ending before 9 a.m.
Our world is becoming tragically unrecognizable as the New York
skyline. New technology was supposed to make our lives easier and
afford us more free time. But the reality today is quite the opposite.
With multimedia infrastructure and equipments and instruments
available to everyone, our lives are busier than ever. We do not have
any spare time and we find it hard to get away from the demands of
work. We are working ourselves to death.
A Secure and Intimate Walk with God 35
Everyone seems to have an external task-oriented self and an

internal reflective self. When the morning alarm rings most of us
jump to our feet into our external task-oriented selves. We are trying
to get dressed while reading reports, we are on the phone in the car
racing to a breakfast meeting, then we are busy all morning, then we
rush to a luncheon meeting, then we are busy all afternoon. Finally,
when we get home, we fall to bed late in the night with barely enough
strength to pray or even say good night to people who are next to us.
The next day we dive in all over again. One day leads to another and
we never take the time to awake and experience our inner reflective
selves, which demands a longer time than we have at hand.
Having achievement as the only goal, sometimes you may be

pushed to the extent of thinking right to the end that life is all
about the next meeting, next sale, or the next program. One day
on your deathbed, you might wish you had loved more and taken
more time for your family and friends. Are you caught up in a rat
race? The problem with being in a rat race is, even if you win, you
are still a rat.
You should reflect on your life to see if you are going in the
right direction. You should focus on gaining a balance between
success and fulfillment. Fulfillment is connecting your life and
work, connecting spiritually, and balancing time at work with your
family and friends.
The benefit of walking with God is the enjoyment of his

protection. For 300 hundred years, Enoch enjoyed God's constant
protection as he walked with him. Evil powers and dangers swarm
around us all the way to heaven; but while God is near he will monitor
your every move and will caution you through his Word to keep you
away from sin or to reclaim you when you have wandered.
Know God Intimately

Enoch's consistent walk with God for 300 years very much implies
that he had a close intimacy with God. Intimacy means being known
inside and out and being loved for who you are. Because God designed
us for relationships, he made us with a hunger for intimacy.
God desires that we know him intimately. But as human beings
the very thought of becoming friends with God boggles the mind.
As small, weak creatures, what could we possibly have in common
with the Almighty Creator of the universe? Intimacy with God is a
hard thing to attain. But you should earnestly desire for it. The word
"intimacy" carries with it the aspects of a relationship with someone
where you are vulnerable, loving, trusting, etc. To have an intimate
relationship with God means that the deepest part of you is having
a relationship with a deep part of God. From a human level it is very
hard to fathom the deepest part of God, but he condescends to our
level and reveals a part of himself that only the believer in Christ
can enjoy.
Every other man mentioned in the Bible up to the time of

Enoch, was said to have "lived" from the time he became a father to
the time he was buried, except Enoch. They lived out their
allotted time, but Enoch walked with God. "Walked with God" is a
common phrase in Eastern countries, indicating constant, familiar
and confidential communion. It portrays intimacy and implies a
situation of nearness to God.
You need to be involved in specific spiritual activities on a daily
basis if you want to walk close to God. Such an authentic relational
intimacy doesn't develop accidentally. You need to cultivate an
atmosphere in which it can grow through habits like speaking
honestly, living a humble and holy life as well as listening to and

giving undivided attention to the Word of God and the still, small
clear voice of the Lord.
Obedience to God's invitation to "Be still and know that I am
God," would to a greater extent help you to develop your intimacy
with God. Keeping a record of what God is speaking to you on a daily
basis would help you to build up your intimacy with God. During
times of trials and temptations, you can rejoice at God's faithfulness as
you review portions of your recorded spiritual journal.
Spiritual Contemplations
Vain thoughts hinder our intimate walk with God. The psalmist
says, "I hate vain thoughts." Spirituality cannot exist unless the mind
is habitually employed in spiritual contemplations. If you consume
most of your leisure hours in thoughts of vanity, you will not be able
to walk with God. Enoch stringently avoided sin, yet that was only
one small part of the life of this man. He spent time with God. The
conscience of the one who walks with God is preserved in tender
delicacy, and God is faithful not to allow a child of God who cleaves
to him to err.
You cannot indulge yourself in any known sin. One such, Achan
fostered in the camp, will prove that you have not only no intimacy
with God, but no acquaintance with him. One indulged sin is as
decisive against you as a hundred. "Whosoever shall keep the whole
law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
Undue worldly affections and cares must be excluded. Those
affections that are not constantly subjected to the love of God are
undue and unholy in nature. Every worldly care necessarily draws
the attention away from God, as we cannot fixedly attend to two

things at the same time. But if the heart is not enticed away, the
thoughts and affections will spontaneously return to him with
everfresh delight.
The means by which you can enter into this relationship has
not changed since the time of the Fall. Reading the stories of the
early man as recorded in the book of Genesis, people sometimes get
the idea that God was nearer then than he is now. Cain heard God
speak, as did Noah and Abraham. Angels frequently visited men
and women. In reality, faith was even more difficult then than it is
today. As the population of the earth expanded rapidly, signs of
God's love and care were spread out over generations with wide gaps
in between. There was no written revelation. Enoch did not have a
Bible to read. All he knew about God was what had been handed
down to him through his forefathers orally.
Today, you are able to learn more about God than Enoch's
generation ever thought possible. In addition to the Word of God,
we have numerous books written to help us in our walk with the
Lord. We have access to churches and Christian music and retreat
centers and devotional materials without end. Yet are we able to
consistently walk with the Lord? Because of the great volume of
information available today, there is a tendency to walk by sight
rather than by faith. There are several people who have gathered
information about Jesus and the doctrines of the Bible. It doesn't
mean they know the Lord. Salvation does not come by information
but by transformation.
The Hebrew word for "know" is yāda and it signifies intimacy.
Knowing also implies experience. In the Bible, the intimate
sexual relationship is spoken of as knowing a man or a woman.
We read that Abraham knew Sarah (Genesis 4:1). That means,

he had sexual relationship with her and that signifies an intimate
relationship. "Knowledge" is a term in the Old Testament that
includes experience, emotion, and personal relationship along with
intellectual understanding. Human knowledge implies involvement
and commitment. Due to so many commitments, and obligations
of your time and energy, you may have very few moments left for
the one commitment that truly matters.
Above all, to know God is not simply to be aware of his existence
but to recognize him for what he is, the Sovereign Lord who makes
a demand on man's obedience (Luke 1:34). The New Testament
continues the Old Testament tradition of knowledge as a relationship.
According to Paul, But now that you have come to know God, or rather
to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and
worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over
again? (Galatians 4:9; 1 Corinthians 8:3).
God can only be known by the Spirit and by the believers who
have the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11). Knowledge assumes faith in
God and Jesus as well as obedience to them: "And by this we may
be sure that we know him [Christ], if we keep his commandments"
(1 John 2:3). The Greek word for "knowledge" stresses special
illumination about the divine and cosmic realities.
Once, a regular churchgoer was examined on the subject of

faith as follows: He was asked, "What do you believe?" He said,
"I believe what the church believes." Then he was asked, "What
then does the church believe?" He said, "The church believes what
I believe." The person got annoyed and said, "Now won't you tell
me, what is that which both you and the church believe?" He said,
"Truly sir, the church and I both believe the same thing." So, many
so-called churchgoing Christians are spending their lives without

knowing what they believe and where they are heading to.
An intimate walk with God affords an opportunity to study
his character, to see it developed in the free communications he
makes, and to listen to his instructions. He is the great instructor
of humankind; but his teachings are not extended to those who
live estranged from him. The effect of walking with God gives
us an enlightened view of his providence and sovereignty, a clear
discernment of the glories of heaven and a peaceful assurance of his
eternal love. Also there is a greater enjoyment of ordinary blessings.
4
A WALK OF FAITH AND

OBEDIENCE
God's command must become our commission, for since God
is infinite and eternal; there is no other source of righteousness,
justice, law, or holiness. We need to both submit to him and go
his way or we will have to forever do without his nature, his grace,
and his presence. Without faith and obedience we cannot approach
God, much less walk with him. Enoch believed and developed a
close walk with God based on very little information. He didn't
need much, for he acted on what he had. Like Abraham and Isaac,
he was going in the same direction of God. This same obedience is
required of us. We must not walk after our own desires, but walk
with God. Enoch believed God, and anyone who truly believes
God, obeys him. A simple example is our speech. It is not possible
to preserve the soul and develop Christlikeness without avoiding
improper conversation with men. Matthew 12:36-37 say, That
every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in
the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by
thy words thou shalt be condemned.
James, the brother of Jesus, put it this way: If anyone considers himself
41
religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives
himself and his religion is worthless (James 1:26).
Winning God's Favor
Enoch did not win God's favor by something he did. God was pleased
with Enoch because he unequivocally believed God. Enoch's faith
was the same as Abel's before him and Noah's after him. The faith
by which Enoch walked with God and pleased him was the same
faith that the dying thief possessed when he cried, "Jesus, remember
me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Indeed, it is the
same faith that God's elect have today. This is very important. If we
want to walk with God, we must fully believe God.
Long before Enoch entered into glory, he had been radically
changed in his heart and soul. He was delivered from the power
of darkness and translated into the kingdom of light. He believed
God's promise of immortality, eternal life in Christ, and the final
judgment that was to come to all men. The book of Jude states
that Enoch had prophesied about the judgment of God. Enoch, the
seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming
with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and
to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the
ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken
against him (Jude 14-15).
Enoch fully believed in God and agreed with the writer of the
book of Hebrews that, ". . .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 11:6).
The Power of Faith

Today, the only way anyone can walk with God and please him
is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our sanctification, like our
salvation, is only through faith in Jesus. We grow in grace as we
Walk of Faith and Obedience 43
grow in faith. The unstained testimony of this great man of God

was a demonstration of the reality of God's grace. Having begun our
new life in the Spirit, we can no longer return to the old life in the
flesh. We need to continue as we began; walking by faith in Christ.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in
him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were
taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7).
From Enoch's story we learn that what is needed in life is not

great knowledge but simple faith. Like him we can come to the place
of confidence and hope in our times of crisis. When we ask God
"why?" we also need to ask him to help us come to a place where we
can say, "In spite of. . .I will rejoice. . . ." Our intent should not be
just to cope with crisis but also to praise God no matter what!
Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. . ." (Job 13:15).
David said, "Even 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" (Psalm 23:4).
Habakkuk said, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no
grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no
food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The
Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
Obedience Leads to Holiness

The secret of Enoch's holy life was his obedience to God. Obedience
brings us to holiness. The apostle Peter speaks of the. . .the sanctifying
work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ. . .(1 Peter 1:2). Holy
living involves learning to live life at its fullest. True holiness gives us
joy and peace such as this world cannot know aside from Christ.
The New Testament uses several different Greek words to
express the concepts of "obedience" and "submission." One of
these is the word hypakouō which means literally to "hear under"

(Matthew 8:27; Mark 1:27; Acts 6:7; Romans 6:12, 16-17;
Ephesians 6:1, 5; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 3:6). Another word
is eisakouo which means "to be heard, or to listen to" (Matthew 6:7;
Luke 1:13; Acts 10:31; Hebrews 5:7). A third word is peitharcheo is
used in 1 Corinthians 14:21 which means literally to "hear into."
Still another Greek word is peitharcheō (Acts 5:29, 32; 27:21; Titus
3:1). This word expresses the idea of yielding to persuasion and
submitting to authority. Notice how the first three words all deal
with the concept of proper hearing. Hence, we learn from these
words that the meaning of obedience is a hearing or learning that
takes place under the authority or influence of someone else, and
that this leads to compliance.
The Old Testament describes obedience to God as obeying

(hearing) either his voice or his commandments. It describes
disobedience as not hearing God's voice when he speaks. But my
people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I
gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices
(Psalm 81:11).
"'But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed
the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went
backward and not forward. From the time your forefathers left
Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my
servants the prophets. But they did not listen to me or pay
attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their
forefathers.' When you tell them all this, they will not listen
to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. Therefore
say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD
its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has
vanished from their lips'" (Jeremiah 7:24-28).
In the New Testament we see the same principle. James, the

brother of Jesus, wrote clearly on the connection between hearing
and doing. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what
it say s is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking
at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But
the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and
continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he
will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25).
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is
dead (James 2:17).
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone
(James 2:24).
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead
(James 2:26).
Obedience is the practical acceptance of the authority and the
will of God. It includes both submitting to him and then expressing
that submission in actions, words and thoughts. To be obedient is
to be in agreement with God. Because Enoch was in agreement with
God, he was able to obey God. "If you are willing and obedient, you will
eat the best from the land" (Isaiah 1:19).
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. . .Whoever has my
commands, and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves
me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself
to him" (John 14:15, 21).
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?'" (Luke
6:46).
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it
says (James 1:22).
Disobedience is caused by rebellion and distrust of God. To be
disobedient is to yield to self-will instead of surrendering to God and
desiring his will in all things. God expects us to be obedient to him.
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing
if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you
today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God
and turn from the way that I command you today by following other
gods, which you have not known (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

To become disobedient then is to sin or rebel against God.
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better
than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is
like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because
you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king"
(1 Samuel 15:22-23).
God will not force us to be obedient to his will. But, he does
commission his Holy Spirit to gently urge, educate, and warn us.
He graciously helps us to be willing to obey, for he knows better
than we do that obedience is an early step to holiness.
Disobedience Is a Hindrance to Holiness

Among the greatest hindrances to holiness is disobedience to the
Word and to the revealed will of God. Disobedience to the Word
of God stops the process of sanctification. Saturating ourselves
with the Word of God is a prerequisite for a life of consistent
obedience. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. . .And whatever
you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus
(Colossians 3:16-17).
Charles Spurgeon said, "Every work of the Spirit of God upon
the new nature aims at the purification, the consecration, the
perfecting of those whom God in love has taken to be his own."
When Jesus prayed to the Father, petitioning him to sanctify the
Christians, he said, Sanctify them through thy truth (John 17:17). God
has joined sanctification and truth together. It has become popular,
in some circles, to say that Christianity is a life and not a creed. But
Christianity is a life that grows out of truth. Jesus Christ is the way
and the truth as well as the life. He is not properly received unless
he is accepted in that threefold character. The Bible, which is God's
recorded, written truth, is both a channel receiving sanctification and
a manual for the expression of that holiness. This written truth must
be accompanied by two factors: First, the Holy Spirit must quicken it
in our hearts, and second, it must be obeyed in our lives. Obedience
to the Word of God brings fulfillment in life.
All that we encounter on our road to heaven is meant to prepare
us for our journey's end. Our way through the wilderness is meant
to try us, and to prove us, that our evils may be discovered, repented
of, and overcome, and that thus we may be faultless before the
throne of God. Every day as hard wrestling, long watching, and
patient waiting lift us up, we are growing into holiness.
We cannot really understand obedience fully unless and until we
turn our attention to Jesus Christ in connection with his suffering
and death. It was his obedience that caused Jesus to say in the garden
of Gethsemane, Not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42).
At the center of the Christian faith, there is a Savior who was
perfectly obedient. And those who obey him discover that their
lives are made whole by his recreating power. Those who obey Jesus
are saved, and they discover that this salvation changes their lives.
Although (Jesus) he was the Son, he learned obedience from what
he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey him. . .(Hebrews 5:8-9).
The disobedience of King Saul

Saul was the first king chosen by God for the nation of Israel. He
had many natural attributes that should have made him a great king.
He was handsome, he had a commanding physical presence, he had
a large following of soldiers, and he had the friendship and wisdom
of the prophet Samuel.
The Lord had commanded Saul, "'Now go and strike Amalek
and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to
death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and
donkey'" (1 Samuel 15:3). But Saul and the people spared Agag and the
best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good,
and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised
and worthless, that they utterly destroyed (1 Samuel 15:9).
Not only that, but after Saul had defeated the Amalekites,
the first thing he did was build himself a monument: Early in the
morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul
has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor
and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal" (1 Samuel 15:12).
Evidently Saul was more interested in getting a name for himself
rather than in making a name for God through obedience to his
word. The Lord saw this disobedience and was greatly grieved that
he had made Saul king: Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:
"I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away
from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled,
and he cried out to the LORD all that night (1 Samuel 15:10-11).
Samuel went to meet Saul and was met with the ingratiating
words, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the
commandment of the LORD" (1 Samuel 15:13). Samuel asks then
what do the sound of bleating sheep and lowing oxen mean if Saul
really destroyed everything the way God had said. First, Saul blames
it on the people: "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the
people spared the best of the sheep. . ." (1 Samuel 15:15). Saul tries to
convince Samuel that it was a noble intention to keep the best sheep
and oxen alive (1 Samuel 15:21). He claims they wanted to sacrifice
these animals to the Lord in Gilgal. The prophet Samuel then asked
Saul, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?" (1 Samuel 15:22). The answer is
clearly "no."
After Samuel confronts and admonishes Saul for his
disobedience, Saul finally confesses the real reason for his
disobedience. "I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of
the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed
their voice" (1 Samuel 15:24). He feared the human consequences

of obedience more than he feared the divine consequences of sin.
He feared the people more than the displeasure of God. Not once
but twice the prophet Samuel had said to Saul and to the people,
"Fear the LORD, and serve him faithfully with all your heart" (1 Samuel
12:14, 24). But when the pressure came Saul caved in to his own
fears rather than take a stand for God. The result was not only the
eventual loss of his kingship, but the loss of relationship with both
Samuel and God. The consequences of Saul's disobedience were
devastating for the rest of his life.
The obedience of Mary, the mother of Jesus

Obedience is not just an option but an obligation. The life of Mary,
the mother of Jesus, is a testimony of one who truly understood the
true meaning of obedience.
Mary was an ordinary young woman who was engaged to be
married to a man named Joseph. However, her life changed when
she had an encounter with the angel Gabriel.
The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly
favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his
words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But
the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found
favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and
will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give
him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the
house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this
be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel
answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power
of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be
born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:28-35).
Mary knew she would face overwhelming social pressures because
she would be pregnant with Jesus before marrying Joseph. But she
accepted it. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered." May it be to
me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). Her humble willingness is a model
of trust and obedience for us still today.
The word "servant" actually meant a "slave." A slave knows

that he/she cannot question or discuss the orders or instructions
of his/her master. Obedience is not an option for him/her but an
obligation. If he/she obeys willingly it's a delight; otherwise it's still a
duty. There can be no place for "no" or "why" if Christ is accepted
as Lord in our lives.
Mary confessed her whole-hearted surrender to God. Because
of faith and obedience a poor, unknown Hebrew girl became an
honored woman. She became a pioneering example of giving one's
body as a living sacrifice to God. God honors faith and rewards
obedience.
The obedience of Joseph, the father of Jesus
We also see incredible obedience demonstrated by Mary's future

husband, Joseph. Engagement in Palestine was a legally binding
contract, usually arranged by parents. Sexual relations were
forbidden until after marriage. Being "a just man" as Joseph was,
with obviously a respectable standing in the society, it would have
been an embarrassment to find his fiancé already pregnant. Joseph's
character is shown by his initial decision to privately to break the
engagement instead of publicly humiliating Mary. But then he had
a dream in which an angel appeared to him. But while he thought
about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you
Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He
will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).
As the Gospel of Matthew records, Joseph didn't speak a word when
the angel defended Mary's pregnancy and attributed it to the work of
the Holy Spirit. He obeyed the Lord though the communication had
come only in a dream not a personal encounter like Mary had. Then
Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him and took to him his wife. . .(Matthew 1:24).
We need to stop and marvel at the wonderful obedience both
Joseph and Mary demonstrated in this situation. Once we have the
inner conviction that the Lord has spoken to us, we must not delay
our obedience for any reason.
Visualizing Unseen Realities

The book of Hebrews 11:1, 6 provides the clearest definition of
what "faith" should mean in the life of a Christian: Now faith is
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. . .But
without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him.
Berkeley's translation states, "Faith is the conviction of unseen
realities." This same chapter goes on to name many heroes from
the Old Testament and shows how their personal faith in God
made radical differences in how they lived their lives based on these
"unseen realities of God." It reminds us of the challenge the author
of this book gives at the start of chapter 12:1-2: Therefore we also,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
God has taught me many times how I need to apply these same
principles in my own life.
Once at the Dubai airport, my visa papers were not filed by
my agent, and I was asked to leave by the next flight back to India.
It was a time of test of my faith. I decided to spend time in fasting
and praying till I get a visa to get out of the airport into Dubai. I
was to address a meeting on Friday at 6:30 p.m. I tried to contact

some top officers at the airport, but none would permit me, even
to go near them. There were many other "stranded" passengers like
me at the airport. I had a very profitable time with many of them,
sharing my life testimony with them. Two of them received the
Lord. I commended many in prayer and all of them got their visas,
except me.
Through a miraculous intervention, a lady staff got into the
matter and she found out that my immigration visa had been
refused because the hotel people had wrongly spelled my name
making me Chandrakumari (a female name). When I explained the
problem to the officers, they were kind enough to allow the hotel
people to submit the visa application form a third time, correcting
the mistake.
Indeed it was a miracle, a real expression of faith at work. I was
issued an entry visa to the UAE at about 4.30 p.m. on Friday. I was
there at the conference hall right on time. When heaven intervenes,
you will enjoy the mercy drops.
Faith and obedience reverse Enoch's death sentence

The Scriptures clearly teaches that the disobedience of Adam
brought a death sentence to every person who would be born after
him, but the death of Christ on the cross defeated death once and
for all. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive
(1 Corinthians 15:22).
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the
trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and
the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,
overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the
result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and
brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses
and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one
man, death reigned through that one man, how much more
will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and
of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man,

Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass
was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of
righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For
just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were
made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the
many will be made righteous (Romans 5:15-19).
Christ demonstrated his unfailing obedience unto death on the cross
by voluntarily submitting to death by crucifixion. And being found
in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to
death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest
place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father (Philippians 2:8-11).
Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and,
once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who
obey him. . .(Hebrews 5:8-9).
In discussing the resurrection that all Christians are promised,
the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and said: When the
perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with
immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has
been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where,
O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is
the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
The resurrection of Christ proved that God had power over
everything in this world including death. We might die a physical
death on this earth but we are promised that we will be raised again
to new life with God. In summarizing his thoughts, Paul said:
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and
so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false
witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he
raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact
the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then
Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been
raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those
also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life
we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men
(1 Corinthians 15:14-19).
We have two examples of men who were raised directly from earth to
heaven without experiencing physical death on earth. One of them
was Enoch, the other was Elijah. By faith Enoch was taken away so
that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken
him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God
(Hebrews 11:5). The New International Version has the word "taken"
and the word "translated" in the Authorized Standard Version are
from the Greek word metatithemi variously means "translate," "carry
over," "change," and "turn." The basic meaning is to turn something
into something else, to transpose two things, one of which is put in
place of the other. The verse says God "translated" him because "he
had been well-pleasing unto God." What an incredible epitaph for
someone to have at the end of his/her life. The Greek translation of
the Old Testament, called the Septuagint translates the words "well-
pleasing unto God" and "walked with God." This implies a close and
intimate relationship and fellowship that resulted in divine favor.
The writer of the book of Genesis described it this way: When
Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And
after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300
years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365
years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took
him away (Genesis 5:21-24).
Though Enoch could not see many future realities, he could

visualize them and lived a life focused on them rather than
his circumstances. Enoch lived in a wicked world before the
Flood, but was able to keep his life so pure that he was taken
directly to heaven without experiencing an earthly death. Many
commentators have written that this "translation" of Enoch was

a picture (a shadow or a type) showing the future resurrection of
the church when Jesus Christ returns.
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who
fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that
God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are
still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly
not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself
will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the
voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and
the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive
and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
Enoch's faith and obedience actually reversed the death sentence

in his life. We should not underestimate the power of a faith-
filled life.
It is very dangerous for anyone to walk by sight or by feelings.
You need to learn to walk by faith. Paul says that we walk by faith,
not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Here, sight not only refers to our
physical eyes, but it includes all the five senses of hearing, seeing,
smelling, tasting, and touching. Hence, in other words what Paul
says is, we cannot live by the five senses alone; we need to have faith.
Faith is the sight of the inward eye. Jesus said, "Blessed are they who
do not see, and yet believe" (John 20:26-29). Faith visualizes the
invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible. Faith
is daily walking hand in hand with God. If we truly walked by faith
instead of sight, our prayer life would be revolutionized, totally.
People of God in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament
walked with God during the best of times and the worst of times.
Consider Job, Noah and Elijah in the Old Testament. They too
walked by faith. Peter, Paul and John took the yoke of the Lord
and walked with him by faith. Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew
11:28-30). By faith, Enoch took the yoke and walked with God.
His faith enabled him to set his mind on the things above, not on
the things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2). He did not seek to
gather gold or silver or to build up possessions on the earth but his
heart was upon eternal treasures.
As Paul says in Philippians 3:20, Enoch believed his citizenship
was in heaven; by faith he looked upon the celestial city. Probably
every single day of the 300 years that he walked with God, he would
have longed for that beautiful city to dwell in the realm of God.
The greater he witnessed the existing iniquity of his days; the more
earnest was his longing to be home with God.
Feelings would come and go, but faith would stay firmly fixed
on the goal of your life. It was not his feelings but faith took Enoch
to a higher level. Sensationalism, and emotions can deceive you.
Faith alone can help you to stay on course.
5
A HOLY AND TRIUMPHANT

WALK WITH GOD
God desires and demands holiness. He has high expectations of

you. He says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Holy is the ultimate word for who God is, what his character is, and
what he wants for and from his people. It is because God is holy
that he calls upon his people to be holy. God first reveals himself
to his people as essentially holy; then he proceeds to demand the
same from them. Holiness is a mysterious treasure of God. Neither
human, nor angelic intellect can comprehend the holiness of God.
When we speak about holiness, or sanctity of people, we mean
sinlessness, virginity, righteousness, and moral perfection in general.
It is a state of being marked by purity and godliness in spirit and
body. However, holiness of God, being inclusive of all virtues, also
has an essence merely "to set apart for God."
The characteristic New Testament word for holy is Hagios. It
is generally believed that the fundamental idea which underlies the
word is that of separation, with the significance of moral obligation
to God. Hagios is, above all things, a qualitative and ethical term.
57
It refers chiefly to character, separateness from the sinful world,

harmony with God, and moral perfection. Holiness embraces
every distinctive attribute of godhead, and it can be defined as the
outshining of all that God is. As the sun's rays, combining all the
colors of the spectrum, come together and blend into light, so in his
self-manifestation all the attributes of God come together and blend
into holiness.
The life God plans for his people is described by Isaiah as "The
way of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8). How do things come to be holy? The
place of burning bush is holy because God is there. The temple is
holy because it is God's house. The prophet is holy because he is
God's man.
The term "saint" sounds different, but it comes from the same
root as holy. In biblical terms, a saint is a person whom God has
set apart for himself. Saints are not just honored people of the past.
They include real-life, down-to-earth common people who have
been set apart as the Lord's own special possession, and as receivers
of his special favor. Enoch lived such a separated and sanctified life
walking with God. All who accept Christ as Savior are called saints
because God has called them his people, his spiritual children—
distinct from non-believers (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2;
Ephesians 1:18). To be holy is to be like Jesus.
All holiness is derived; things and people are holy only as they
are near him who is holy. Holiness is always given. It is given by
grace and received through faith. But it is given only if the person
is in close relationship with a holy God. It is not only what God
gives me, but what I manifest that God has given me. It is unsullied
walking with the feet, undefiled talking with the tongue, and perfect
thinking with the mind. The holy life is simply living as someone
who belongs to God and who lives by the vision of the kingdom of
A Holy and Triumphant Walk with God 59
God. That is exactly the way Enoch lived. Holiness comes directly
from our relationship with Jesus and submission to him.
Sanctification Is More Than Morality

Sanctification is something more than mere morality and
respectability. If we are merely moral our righteousness does not
exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. It amounts to deliverance
from the common sins of men, and from the carnality of nature.
Sanctification is deliverance from that which is of the flesh and
adapting that which is spiritual and divine. Sanctification is much
more than purification. It is to be adorned with all the virtues of the
Spirit of God.
Jesus prayed to the Father, Father, I will that they also, whom thou
hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory,
which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of
the world (John 17:24).
Paul said, "Without holiness no one would ever see the Lord."
Can the unsanctified dwell with Christ in heaven? Will unholy
eyes behold his glory? It cannot be. We cannot participate in the
splendor and triumphs of the exalted Head, if we are not members
of his body, and certainly a holy head could not have impure and
dishonest members. Uprightness of walk and cleanness of heart are
absolutely requisite for the purpose of the Christian life, both here
and in the hereafter. We must be holy, for God is holy. For it is God
who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure
(Philippians 2:13).
Regeneration, in which sanctification begins, is totally the work
of the Spirit of God. Subsequently, you need to develop holy desires,
clean passions and pure thoughts to continue to be sanctified. You
must learn to look out of yourself and look wholly to God for this
sanctifying work. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in their truth; Thy

Word is truth" (John 17:17). But the truth alone will not sanctify
a man. If the truth does not touch our heart and influence our
character, then the process of sanctification is hindered.
Exercising sanctification is a twofold action: turning away from
sin, and turning towards God. "Perfecting holiness," means that the
Corinthians were to have nothing to do with Paganism. They were
to make a clean break with their past and give themselves to God
alone. Holy living involves life at its fullest. It is a removal of the
negatives and a replacing with the positives of life. True holiness
brings us into a love, joy, and peace such as this world cannot know
aside from Christ.
You must believe that God can make you holy here and now.
The Spirit of God impressed Peter in those first few years after
Pentecost to exhort us: Be holy yourselves also in all your behavior:
because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY"
. . .conduct yourselves in fear [reverential awe] during the time of your
stay on earth. . .(1 Peter 1:15-17). Clearly, Peter is implying that
holiness is something to be pursued in this lifetime, not simply in
the life to come.
You need to totally renounce all known sin in your life. If you
are unholy, admit it. Confess your need and your desire to be clean
before the Lord. Hold nothing back, give him all the keys. Simply
trust the Lord, with childlike faith, to fill you with his Holy Spirit
and to empower you to live in holiness. You need to understand that
he is the One who does this in you; holiness is not something you
do for him.
Holy Desires, Clean Passions, Pure Thoughts

Paul writes, "I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"

(1Thessalonians 5:23). Enoch practiced this lifestyle. Sanctification
is a work of God through the Holy Spirit that affects the entire
nature of man.
The body has its own appetites and cravings, which are capable
of being perverted through indulgence. When your spirit is brought
into a right relationship with God it becomes the controlling force
in your life. As you allow the Spirit of God to work in you, you
will find that your desires become holy, your passions clean, your
thoughts pure, and that your delight will be in fulfilling the will of
the Lord.
The roadmap to holy living is not without bumps and dangers.
Wrong ideas and outright lies have sidetracked God's people from
making progress toward the pursuit of Christlikeness. Instead of
standing firm in their secure position in the truth of the Word of
God, they fall into error in both thinking and living. You need to
stop focusing on the wrong desires of your heart and the improper
appetites of your body and maintain contact with God on a day-to-
day regular basis.
In the book of Ezekiel 11:1-23, God revealed to Ezekiel that

when his temple becomes filled with corruption and idolatry, his
glory would go because God is holy in his essential nature and pure
in his character. He cannot co-exist with evil in the inner sanctuary,
whether that sanctuary is in a physical temple as in Ezekiel's time
or the church today. A believer's heart is made pure by the precious
blood of the Lamb of God. God cannot compromise with sin in any
form. He must demand conformity with his moral laws, and anyone
who would have dealings with him must be pure in thought, word
and deed. The psalmist asks, "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?" The reply comes: "He who
has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to
what is false, and does not swear deceitfully" (Psalm 24:3-4). This
reveals the perfection of God, in virtue of which he eternally wills
and maintains his own moral excellence, abhors sin, and demands
purity in his moral creatures.
The secret of true holiness is to confess our twisted nature and
to submit wholly to the Lord who by his grace transforms us and
imparts to us his holiness.
Holiness Is Joint Venture with God

Enoch had a joint venture with God in maintaining a holy life for
300 long years. Without the Lord in the boat you can never brave
the storm.
A farmer plows his field, sows the seed, fertilizes and cultivates—
all the while knowing he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor
can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting
the crop. For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things
from God. Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues
his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate, he cannot
expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in a
partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has
fulfilled his own responsibilities. Hence farming is a joint venture
between God and the farmer.
The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not
do what the farmer should do. We can say just as accurately that
the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture with God and the believer
in Christ. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God
working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain without
responsible behavior. "Pursue holiness, for without holiness no
one will see the Lord." The word "pursue" suggests two thoughts:
first that diligence and effort are required; and second, that it is a
lifelong task.
In Enoch, God gave a glimpse of what redemption is, and the
hope of total deliverance from the curse of the Fall, which includes a
restored fellowship with God, and the total abolition of both physical
and spiritual death. He had the same experience that every believer
in Christ shall have, who is alive at the time when Jesus comes—
glorification without a physical death, but a transformation.
Enoch did what he did "by faith" and faith is always related to a
promise. By faith and patience we inherit promises (Hebrews 6:12).
Somewhere in the days of his fellowship with God, God planned to
give a demonstration of his power over death, and Enoch believed
God. "By faith Enoch was taken up. . ." (Hebrews 11:5)
In Enoch's case it was not death, but a triumphant translation.
He can be considered as the superman and the most mysterious,
unique individual of all Bible characters. He seems to have had
extraordinary strength of persuasiveness. God gifted him with the
gift of discernment of seeing the past and future of mankind.
Enoch becomes the first example and personification of

immortality. Death was not a pre-requisite for him to cross over into
the gates of heaven while still in his mortal body. Enoch walked with
God in supreme reality with holy familiarity. Jesus said, "Blessed are
the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). For three
centuries, Enoch walked with a pure heart and saw God in all those
years and probably could not remove his sight from him and hence
God walked away with him into his heavenly abode.
Walking with God propels us into a greater preparation for

usefulness. In proportion the mind becomes wiser by constant
conversation with God, and holier by closer and transforming views
of him. This relationship makes us stronger and more persevering
and better directed in our ministry. Walk implies forward and so

it is with those that walk with God. They go on, as we read in the
Psalms, "from strength to strength," or, as Paul says, "they pass from
glory to glory."
It is very interesting to note the phrases used to describe Enoch's
miraculous translation. First of all, we have the assertive phrases,
"He was not" and "He was not found" (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews
11:5), suggesting the thought that one day this godly man would go
missing and not be found. "Translated," implies a sudden removal
from mortality to immorality without death. God took Enoch
directly to heaven because he drew so close to the Father that the
Lord decided to remove every barrier between them, including
Enoch's mortality.
There is a definite plan and purpose in everything God does.
In such a translation of Enoch, the Lord perhaps intended to teach
and assure mankind that they need not be terrified by the curse that
had fallen on mankind due to Adam's sin. God proved to the world
through Enoch's life that it is possible to live a holy life in spite of
the curse. God is the supreme authority and in exceptional cases
can translate saints of God like Enoch and Elijah. But we must take
note that Jesus Christ had not yet been given as a propitiation for
mankind at that time. Hence it was a direct rapture of these saints.
But now through his death and resurrection, Jesus has already made
the way for us to be raptured at the sound of the trumpet. He would
come on the clouds and send forth his angels to gather the saints
of God from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other
(Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
6
A MAN OF CHARACTER
AND CHARISMA
Peter Kusmic has said, "Charisma without character is catastrophe."

The circumstances amid which we live determine our reputation;
the truth we believe determines our character. Enoch had a godly
character. The Scripture does not mention any imperfections
or weaknesses in him. All the prophets in the Bible displayed, at
one time or another, some shortcomings such as anger, despair,
drunkenness, covetousness, frustration, restlessness, depression,
disobedience, compromise and so forth, all except Enoch. Moses
himself acknowledges his flawless credentials. Enoch stood at the
threshold of perfection and was not found wanting. He can be
considered as a logical messianic forerunner of Jesus Christ.
Character is that part of a person that makes him or her different
from others. Character being the crown and glory of life is the
noblest possession of man. The godly character of Enoch represents
the state of holiness that must be attained by those who shall be
purchased from the earth (Revelation 14:1-5).
65
It is not what we do for God that counts but what we are before
him that matters. What we are, determines the value of what we say
and do. As the saying goes, "Unless there is within us that which is
above, we shall soon yield to that which is around us." Charismatic
leaders have attractive personalities. Charisma is not necessarily
flamboyance, loudness, or dynamism. It may be a meek and quiet
spirit in the midst of a sea of boastful commercialism and slick
advertising. A pocket watch and a public clock both serve the same
purpose, to tell the time. If a watch goes out of order only the owner is
affected but if a public clock goes wrong, hundreds of people are
misled. So, as responsible leaders, let us be examples and let not our
lives be a stumbling block to others.
Reputation versus Character

Reputation is what we are supposed to be. Character is what we
are. Reputation is the photograph; character is the face. Reputation
is earned in a moment; character is built through a lifetime.
Reputation is what people inscribe on our tombstone; character is
what angels say about us before the throne of God. Enoch obtained
the witness that he was pleasing to God. Reputation is what men
think of you, but character is what God knows you to be. The
average person is more interested in the former, but God is more
interested in the latter.
Character will be consistent. The reason that Joseph could resist
the temptation induced by Potiphar's wife is that his character was
consistent in the pit as a youth, in the prison and in the palace to
which he was exalted by Pharaoh.
Reputation is interested in self; character is interested in service.
Paul says that: "Christ made himself of no reputation" (Philippians
2:7). What a startling statement! He was misunderstood, falsely
A Man of Character and Charisma 67
accused, improperly treated—all of which were unimportant to

him. Paul further makes it very clear to us that we are not to look
out for our own good, but for the good of others (Philippians 2:4).
Reputation focuses on popularity and prosperity; character is
concerned with purity. The Bible says, The sacrifice of the wicked is an
abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves
him who follows righteousness (Proverbs 15:8-9).
When Satan told Jesus that if he would fall down and worship
him, he would give him the kingdoms of the world, Jesus spurned
prosperity and popularity by saying, "Be gone, Satan" (Matthew
4:8-10).
Here are some biblical examples focussing on prosperity/purity:
Lot was overwhelmed by the prosperous infrastructure of
Sodom and Gomorrah and moved there for a material reason. It
was indeed a good place to raise cattle; but a dreadful place to rear
children. The fact that he allowed himself to be elected as Mayor
sitting at the city gate shows us that he was looking for popularity
and position and not to serve God, because even after he lived there
for twenty years, there were not even ten righteous people in those
cities, the salt had lost his savor and that brought destruction to the
cities (Genesis 18:20-19:1).
In contrast to Lot's life, Daniel was not looking for prosperity
or popularity but for purity: "But Daniel made up his mind that
he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the
wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander
of the officials that he might not defile himself " (Daniel 1:8).
Reputation always looks for man's applause but character is
concerned about God's approval. In our personal relationships we
have to be attuned to the needs and wants of others and offer them
the things that will be useful to them, not what satisfies us! We may
even serve God with a self-conceived vision or can be emotionally
motivated to go to a particular place and preach the Word. But the
Lord might want to impart a different vision upon you and show a
different place.
Even among the prophets, some received God's approval and
some did not. God says: "I did not send these prophets, but they ran.
I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. . .Therefore behold,
I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues
and declare, 'The Lord declares'" (Jeremiah 23:21, 31).
These prophets were not sent by God. They robbed the people
of truth by substituting false words as if from God. They used their
own tongues and prophesied false dreams. Hence they did not
receive God's approval.
At the house of Simon the Pharisee, Mary received forgiveness,
peace and the approval of Jesus. It is true that unlike many other
Pharisees, Simon had love and respect for Jesus and he invited Jesus
into his house and spent his money to make a dinner for Jesus. He
offered what he wanted to offer Jesus. Mary also offered the costly
ointment. But before she could break open the bottle, she became
despondent. So first she offered herself at the feet of Jesus and then
the ointment.
The apostle Paul, in Romans chapter 2, makes the point that
a true response to God comes from the heart, not from keeping
an external checklist of rules, or of giving the "appearance" of
obedience. Paul rebuked the idea of claiming godliness based on
external conditions that did not match internal realities. This is
called "hypocrisy." People see your "outside" but God sees the
"inside". . .the heart, the motives, the attitudes. External compliance
of godliness has been around since the time Cain brought his
offering before God, and God did not accept it because internally
Cain's heart was not right.
Reputation is interested in appearance; character is interested
in accomplishment. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the
Lord looks at the heart. Hence, the prostitute was approved while
the pious Pharisee stands condemned by Jesus (Luke 7:36-50).
God approved Abel's offering and did not accept Cain's. Why?
They both offered the same thing—the firstfruit of their labor. But
Cain's heart was not right with God and so his offering was not
accepted. David was a murderer and an adulterer. But still God
approved David and called him a man of his own heart. This is
because David had a disheartened spirit. He acknowledged his
sinfulness and kept his life transparent to the conviction and
correction of the Holy Spirit of God.
Reputation is interested in quantity; character is interested
in quality. It is said of Methuselah, that he lived 969 years, but
nothing significant is recorded of him in the Bible except that he
"begat sons and daughters." Contrast to that is the life of John the
Baptist. John did not live even as long as Jesus Christ did; but Jesus
said of him, that none born of women is greater than he (Matthew
11:11). Jesus was not talking about quantity. He was speaking of
quality. Most of the time, when people use the word "great," they
are speaking of "how many" and not "what kind." Gideon began
with 32,000, but God said that was quantity. The final selection of
300 was quality.
Jesus lived only thirty-three years on earth, but the closing verse
of the book of John states that "The world itself could not contain
the books that should be written" about his wonderful works (John
21:25). When we stand at the judgment seat of Christ, those things
which have been done for appearance sake will be reduced to ashes,
but what is done for the glory of God will be preserved as "gold,
silver and precious stone" for all eternity.
Character and Integrity

Integrity is what we gain by walking in God's light. "It is far more
worth than precious gold to do what's true and right"--Dennis J.D.
Integrity is a state or quality of being complete. It is integration of a
personality. In spite of severe persecution and discouragement, Job
held onto his integrity. He said, "Till I die I will not put away my
integrity from me" (Job 27:5).
Our character is shaped by what our minds take in; we should
not be like a waste paper basket. Because of his constant, consistent
and close walk with God Enoch was continuously receiving into his
mind what God was imparting to him.
Character evolves through one's beliefs, attitudes, intentions or
motives and actions by which one acquires more from history. Our
reasons do not count as the real "explanation" of our behavior. You
can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who
can do nothing for him or to him.
Character and Diligence

What is diligence? It is meticulousness. It is the opposite of
slothfulness. It is not shirking or shying away from responsibility. A
diligent person does not try to reduce his work to nothing. On the
contrary, he tries to create work out of nothing. As a servant of the
Lord, you should not be the one who stands around idly waiting
for something to turn up. If you work only when work turns up,
you are not a diligent person. A diligent person is never idle; he is
always looking for things to do. He is always pondering, praying,
contemplating, and considering before God as to what he should
do. Unless you exercise yourself this way, you can find yourself with
nothing to do.
A breaking-down and building-up process is necessary for the
outer man. If you are wrong, loose, and indisciplined in your day-to-
day life, you are not qualified to do the Lord's work. If your character
and disposition do not go through some severe constituting work of
the Spirit, you cannot expect much result from your work.
"But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole
in the ground, and hid his master's money. . .And the one also
who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I
knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow,
and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid,
and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have
what is yours.'
"But his master answered and said to him, 'you wicked, lazy
slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather
where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money
in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money
back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him,
and give it to the one who has the ten talents. Throw out the
worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth'" (Matthew 25:18-30).
This passage shows us that one of the basic requirements of a servant
of the Lord is diligence. It clearly portrays the fundamental trouble in
the life of that servant. The trouble was twofold: He was both "evil"
and "slothful." His evil was manifested in his calling his master "a hard
man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not
winnow." He hid his talent in the earth because his heart was evil and
his hands were slothful. In his heart he had certain thoughts about his
master. At the same time, he did not do what he should have done,
but instead he hid the talent in the earth. This is simply slothfulness.
Slothful and lazy people never look for things to do. If work comes
their way, they seek to evade it. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
and he will not even bring it back to his mouth (Proverbs 19:24).
Look at the apostles in the New Testament, from Peter to Paul.

They did not have any trace of laziness. They had no thought of
wasting their time. All of them labored diligently and sought for
every opportunity to serve the Lord.
Paul said, Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction (2 Timothy
4:2).
The proclamation of the Word must be done at all times in all
seasons. In considering Paul's work, we can see that he was truly
diligent. There was no laziness in him whatsoever. He was traveling
from place to place, preaching the gospel wherever he went, or
reasoning intently with individuals and teaching them. Even when
he was in prison he was writing his Epistles, which touched the
peak of spiritual revelations. Although he was bound within the cell
walls, God's Word was not bound. He was like his Master, who was
never slothful.
We should ask the Lord, "What work do you have for me to do?"
After talking with the Samaritan woman, Jesus asked his disciples a
very strange question: "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months and
then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up yours eyes and look
on the fields, they are white for harvest" (John 4:35).
In man's view, one has to wait for four months, but the Lord
says, "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white
for harvest." Many believers in Christ are hiding at home instead of
journeying in God's way because they do not lift up their eyes. Their
eyes are not on what God is doing today. In John 5:17, the Lord said
that he was always doing what his Father had sent him to do.
Paul says in Romans 12:11 that we should not lag behind in
diligence, but be firm in spirit and serve the Lord. You need to pray
and work hard in developing a diligent character. Jesus came "to seek
and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Likewise you must
desperately seek with a burning desire to diligently serve the Lord
with zeal.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith
supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your
knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance;
and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly
kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter 1:5-7).
In the above passage, Peter used the phrase "and in" six times.
This shows that a diligent man always adds to what he has; he is
not content with what he has. You should cultivate this character.
You should always add to what you have and never stop serving
the Lord.
Character and Choices

Choice is the starting point of action; it is the source of motion, but
not the end for the sake of which we act. Little choices determine
habit. Habits carve and mold character.
People can fall if their intention is to act contrary to their basic
convictions or moral principles of God and if their judgment has
been clouded by "desire" or overwhelmed by "passion." A human
develops character through his/her concrete decisions. Our decision
determines our destiny. Circumstances do not make a man; they
reveal what he is made of.
As Paul says, "I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest
possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be
disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27). Yes it can, in some unguarded
moment, Satan can slip up on your weak side and set before you a
temptation so alluring, that in your own strength you will not be
able to overcome it. So make it a practice to pray every day: Hear
a just cause, O LORD, give heed to my cry; Give ear to my prayer,

which is not from deceitful lips. Let my judgment come forth from your
presence; Let your eyes look with equity. You have tried my heart; You
have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing. I
have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. . .My steps have held
fast to Your paths, My feet have not slipped (Psalm 17:1-5).
Courage Sustains Character

Courage was the keystone in the sustenance of Enoch's character.
He had the boldness to stand for what was right, and was honest
and just. In times of crisis we need the attitude of fortitude to keep
us from being overcome when things run over us. In the Bible, we
find evidence of God using trials to refine Paul's character. Paul even
learned to rejoice in his sufferings because he found that suffering
produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope.
Character is what we are. We can sell out character but we
cannot purchase it. The hardest trial of our character is whether we
can bear a rival's failure without triumph. A man shows his character by
what makes him laugh.
In the destiny of every moral being, there is an object considered
more worthy by God than anything else, that is character. It exercises
a greater power than wealth, and secures all honor without pining
for fame. It carries with it an influence and commands the general
confidence and respect of humankind. Keeping character is easier
than recovering. Character is made by many acts; but a single one
can lose it. The toughest thing in life is to remove the stains from
a man's character. "Character is like a tree and reputation is like its
shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing"
--Abraham Lincoln.
The fragrance of our rich and delightful character will continue

to linger about the place where we lived, as a dried rose bud draws
one where it has withered and perished. Purity in your heart
produces power in your life. Righteousness produces beauty in
your character.
7
A FOCUSED WALK WITH A

GOAL IN LIFE
Today's Christian seems to be long on looks but short on substance.

While we walk, we should not only consider our destination but
also our destiny. Destination is the final place that we are aiming to
reach but destiny is what happens on the way. You can miss the way
or cross the track on the way or die in a plane crash before reaching
the destination. So your destiny can be either hell or heaven.
I believe Enoch's walk with God was a slow and steady walk.
The word "walk" suggests steady progress. It is not easy to walk
steadily for 300 years. Enoch did not take a turn or two with God
and then leave his company. It was so worthwhile that Enoch kept
on with his walk until he walked beyond time and space and walked
into heaven.
If you could slow down, seek wise counsel, and patiently work
through the issues of your life, that would give God an opportunity
to do great and mighty things through your life. Enoch's was not a
run, a leap, a spurt, but a steady walk. To walk with God implies
spiritual communion and that is what Enoch did.
77
Walking implies progress. Enoch's life must have been progressive.

At the close of 300 years of communion with God, he would have
morally and spiritually grown from strength to strength and glory to
glory. He would have had a deeper appreciation of God's excellence
and a greater enjoyment of his perfections. Another consequence of
his walk with God would be a deep settled joy and peace. Walking
with God ensures protection: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most
High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
Nothing can harm the man who has the Lord God at his right
hand. A further consequence of Enoch's walk was his witness for
God (Jude 14 and 15). This divine order cannot be reversed. Before
you can witness for God, you must walk with God.
Your Big Chance

Right now, you could be at one of the most critical stage in your
journey. You have a chance to tap into the deepest reservoirs of
God's strength if you can find a way to slow down and wait for the
prompting of the Spirit. The following words signify the wait: Yet
those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount
up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will
walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:31).
Eagles are amazing birds. They can actually fly as high as 14,000
feet. So high, in fact, that they cannot be seen with the naked eye
from the ground. You'd think that in order to accomplish such a
feat, they'd have to expend tremendous amount of energy. But
they don't. In fact, they barely flap their wings. Instead, they take
advantage of thermals. Simply put, thermals are columns of warm
air rising upward from the ground. They are created when one area
of the earth's surface, such as an asphalt parking lot, heats up in the
morning sun faster than, say, an adjacent grassy field. An eagle will
leave his perch, find one of these thermals, and extend its wings. The
upward flow of air will push it as high as it wants to go.
A Focused Walk with a Goal in Life 79
I doubt that Isaiah would have been able to explain the science
behind thermals, but he obviously observed their effects. He could
see that eagles were lifted up and sustained, not by their own
efforts, but by some sort of invisible force and it reminded him of
the amazing way God lifts and sustains his followers in hard times.
Nevertheless the key is still our willingness to be patient and wait on
him. He wants to know that we are trusting in him and not in our
own strength or ingenuity. The Lord longs to be gracious to you,
and therefore he waits on high to have compassion on you. For the
Lord is a God of justice. How blessed are all those who long for Him
(Isaiah 30:18).
Life is moving at warp speed. People are zipping past you at a
dead run. When you hesitate, you get honked at. When you slow
down, you feel you're falling behind. When you try to relax, you feel
guilty. And when you do nothing, you feel dry. As today's Christians
seem to be short on substance, the focus has shifted from loving
the Master to liking what is on the Master's table. Many Christians
want the spiritual gifts that God gives to us without recognizing or
responding adequately to the giver.
The people of Israel were dying of thirst and were blaming Moses
for it. Moses could no longer stand their rejection and grumbling; so
he angrily struck the rock which his stick. What a surprise! In spite
of his disobedience to God's command to speak to the rock—water
poured out. Their thirst might have been quenched but it had not
been done God's way. As a result Moses forfeited his entry into the
Promised Land. Much confusion exists because of our failure to see
life through God's eyes and to adopt his values.
We often base our lives on wrong standards. Very often men
and women who are fueled solely by the desire for success, fame,
position, prosperity and power end up in emptiness and heartache.
Enoch's focus was on a victorious life and a glorious walk with God.
We need to compare ourselves with God's authentic yardstick of
victory and success. Only then shall we know whether we have done
well or badly.
Enoch recognized the fact that he was called not only to be a
saint (Ephesians 1:13) and a servant (Ephesians 6:5), but also to
be a soldier (Ephesians 6:11; 1 Timothy 6:12). As a soldier you are
in a conflict and you have to fight. Moreover, if you are to be a
victorious soldier in God's army, you must understand the nature of the
conflict in which you are engaged, the character of your enemy
and the absolute necessity of putting on your armor.
Enoch had one goal, one purpose or one aim in life: "To dwell
in the house of the Lord. . ."(Psalm 27:4). The tragedy of life does
not lie in not reaching your goal, but in not having any goal to
reach. The human's way leads to hopeless end, but God's way leads
to an endless hope. Jesus is exclusively sufficient and absolutely
necessary for all of us. Christ's limitless resources would meet your
endless needs.
Moving from Success to Significance

Success is what happens when preparation meets potential.
Significance is when character produces fruitfulness. It is using
knowledge and experience to serve others. To "signify" means to give
a sign or to express by signs. For example, we read in Revelation 1:1
(KJV): The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to
show unto his servants, things which must shortly come to pass; and he
sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.
This He said, signifying by what death He would die (John 12:33
NKJV)
Signify also means to make things clear and plain. For example,
we read in Hebrews 12:27: "And this word, yet once more, signifieth
the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been
made, that those things which are not shaken may remain" (ASV).
"The words 'once more' plainly show that the created things will be
shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will
remain" (GNT).
We need to realize that we are engaged in a real warfare. It

is a conflict between real antagonists—the Lord on the one hand
(Ephesians 6:10); the devil on the other hand (Ephesians 6:11). It
is a fierce battle and a deadly fight. It is a hand-to-hand rivalry. It is
not a physical combat but a spiritual antipathy. It is as literal as any
encounter against "flesh and blood," but it is more deadly, because
it is not an enmity with the human and the visible but with the
superhuman and the invisible (Luke 12:4).
We need to understand the characteristics of the enemy. First
of all he is a real person. The names given to Satan and the actions
attributed to him imply personality: deceiver, liar, murderer, accuser,
tempter, prince, etc., (Job 1:6; Isaiah 14:12; Matthew 4:10; 6:13;
9:34; 10:25; 25:41; Luke 4:12; John 8:44; 12:31; 2 Corinthians 2:11;
1 Thessalonians 2:18 and 3:5).
He takes an exalted position as "the prince of the power of

the air," indicating his control as prince and ruler over evil spirits
(Ephesians 2:2). He is called "the prince of this world," showing
his domination in the lives of the children of disobedience (John
12:31; 14:30 and 16:11). He has a kingdom (Matthew 12:26). He is
"the God of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4). He counterfeits true
Christianity (1 Corinthians 10:20-21; 2 Corinthians 11:14 and
Revelation 2:9).
He is very powerful (Acts 26:18). His power is subtle (2 Corinthians
11:14); sinister (Colossians 1:13); active (Ephesians 2:2); supernatural
(2 Thessalonians 2:9); and destructive (Hebrews 2:14).
The Armor of God

We must receive our protection from Christ. The protection provided
by him is described as "the whole armor of God." The apostle Paul
knew that we could not defeat spiritual powers without spiritual
weapons: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world
does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We
demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God. . .(2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
In the sixth chapter of Ephesians, Paul describes in detail both the
defensive and offensive weapons we must use in order to be effective
against all enemies. It is very likely that Paul got his initial ideas about
the armor of God from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Notice
what Isaiah had said, He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the
helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and
wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak (Isaiah 59:17).
Paul begins with the defensive armor. The first is the "belt
of truth." This piece of armor fits around the waist of the soldier
and holds the rest of the armor together. What Paul says is that
"truth" is what holds together our armor. Remember that in the
encounters with Eve and Christ, it was half-truths and untruths that
were primary weapons of the serpent. What counters that is "God's
truths." That is why it is so important that we know the truths and
promises of God. We need to continually store away these truths
in our mind so that when we are under attack we will instantly
recognize the difference between what we are hearing and seeing
and what is reality in God's kingdom.
As the belt encompassed the soldier, so truth must encompass
our whole life (Psalm 51:6; John 8:32; 3 John 4). Enoch never
gave place for hypocrisy, unreality, insincerity and compromise in
his life.
The second piece of defensive armor is the "breastplate of

righteousness." This refers to the covering that protected the upper
portion of the body from the waist to the neck, including the heart.
The breastplate of righteousness thus protects our heart from the
onslaughts of the enemy's attacks. Since the heart is often thought
of as the center of our emotions, feelings, moods and passions this is

likely what Paul was alluding to.
. . .and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from
the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). The third piece of defensive
armor is the "gospel of peace." Paul was referring to the strong
foundation that we need to have in order to stand and fight. All
of us know from practical experience that it is much easier to be
strong in the Lord when we are at peace with ourselves, peace with
others, and peace with God. Romans 5:1 says, Therefore, since we
have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .Paul continually talks in his letters about
the importance of peace and harmony in the church and how
destructive it is when it is not there. Division and strife provide
incredible opportunity for the enemy to wound many Christians
and drastically diminish the health and effectiveness of the church.
That is one of the reasons why Jesus prayed for his disciples that
they would be ". . .one as we are one" (John 17:11) referring to the
love that existed between the Father and the Son.
The root meaning of the Old Testament word shalom is
peace which means wholeness or well-being. The New Testament
also emphasizes the importance of the "peace of God." Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. . .(Colossians 3:15
NKJV).
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you
can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).
The fourth defensive weapon described by Paul is the "shield of
faith." Roman soldiers carried wooden shields covered with hard
leather which they would hold over their heads or in front of them
to protect them from arrows (sometimes arrows with tips that

were covered with a combustible material that would allow them
to become flammable). This is why Paul used the analogy of the
"fiery arrows."
"Faith" here refers to our trust in the power and promises of
God. The entire eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews is written
around the theme of "faith." Verses 1 and 6 describe what biblical
faith is really all about. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see. . .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 11:1, 6).
Paul has a fifth defensive weapon that he wants Christians to
use and that is the "helmet of salvation." Notice that Paul uses the
imperative "take" just as he used "put on" in verse 13 and "stand" in
verse 14. What Paul clearly says is that we have a responsibility to
do something if we want to win the battles against the enemy. We
cannot passively sit by and expect the Lord to fight all of the battles
for us. We are responsible for putting on the armor he provides for
us. If we do, we will be able to not only defend ourselves, but to
defeat the enemy. However, if we don't, we have a great chance of
being injured and/or losing the battle.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul says that the "hope of salvation"
is the helmet. The normal usage of the word "hope" today means
wishful thinking, we want something to happen, but aren't sure if it will
ever really happen. Paul is thus saying that if we truly understand
our salvation, what Christ has done for us, and where we really
stand as believers in Christ, then we can have the confidence and
assurance that will not give Satan any territory or advantage in his
attacks on our minds.
Paul now enumerates two offensive pieces of armor that we can
use to defeat Satan. The first is the "Word of God." The "Word of God"
in this verse refers to both the written as well as the spoken word of
God. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-
edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and
marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Remember how Christ quoted several Old Testament scriptures in his
counterattack against Satan's temptations. This shows the real power
of the Word of God. It does not mean that simply speaking the words
is the power, but the truth that is behind those words. That truth is
indeed what sets us free and if we not only know God's Word, but
believe it without doubting, it becomes a powerful offensive weapon.
Psalm 119:11 encourages us to make the Word of God an integral
part of our lives if we want to avoid sins of all kinds. I have hidden your
word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers
and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on
praying for all the saints." Paul wants us to understand that not only
do we have an incredible offensive weapon in the "Word of God"
but we have another equally effective weapon in "prayer." There
are many different kinds and types of prayer (praise, supplication,
intercession, thanksgiving, etc.) All of these are effective strategies
in certain situations. We should not get locked into one kind of
prayer as the answer to every situation we face in life. Expanding
our understanding and usage of the different kinds of prayer will
increase our effectiveness. We must also be careful not to regard
prayer as a means of manipulating God into delivering what we
want. On the other hand, once we have submitted to his will and
he has revealed what he intends to do, then we can pray aggressively
that it might happen.
God has offered us a personal way through Jesus Christ to
communicate with and experience his divine presence. Every moment
of the day, we can turn to him and follow him and he will be there
to carry us through until the day we are totally transformed.
To follow the Lord Jesus, we need to keep watch with the Lord.
This is what, Jesus told James, John and Peter in the garden of
Gethsemane, while he prayed over his coming ordeal, "Keep watch
with me." Three times they fell asleep on the crucial night of their
Lord's betrayal! "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak
. . . ." He warned them.
Later, on the day of Pentecost, 120 disciples (including the
apostles) were waiting in an upper room, when a noise like a rushing
wind filled the house, and the fire of the Lord fell on their heads and
they were suddenly, powerfully transformed into dynamic, bold and
victorious witnesses for Christ. We too, need a power beyond our
abilities to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. That power is available to us
today, just as it was to the disciples of Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago.
God's Spirit will permeate our whole being, just as the blood
stream nourishes the entire physical body. Furthermore, as we
gratefully respond to his love, we become even more beautiful in his
eyes. Enoch received the power to overcome the guilt of humankind
by taking the responsibility to continue to cling unto the Creator
and Author of eternal life.
We live in an era of compromise. Very few are faithful in
fulfilling their God-given responsibilities. Sometimes we even give
up the principles we claim to follow for the sake of accomplishing
our selfish goals. Such a self-centered, worldly perspective is why
we see so much compromise. Enoch endeavored to live an
uncompromising, faithful godly life. The Bible exhorts people to be
faithful in fulfilling their God-given responsibilities and to be loyal
to him.
Enoch was not ashamed or afraid to tell those around him
about what God had revealed to him. Enoch, the seventh from Adam,
prophesied about these men: See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon
thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly
of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all
the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him (Jude 14-15).
Enoch cared enough to tell everyone about the danger of losing

their souls for eternity. He spoke out against the ungodliness in
society, and the false religion of his day. He denounced the rebellion
against God. He would have reprimanded the so-called people of
God for their lukewarmness and half-heartedness. This is evident in
the fact that he named his son Methuselah which means: "When he
is gone there will be judgment."
Enoch was an exception that he had this testimony and was a
recipient of God's high calling to manifest his mercy and grace upon
Adam's fallen race. Enoch received the power to overcome the guilt
of humankind by taking the responsibility to continue this walk of
the narrow way despising the shame and ridicule of the world at
large to cling unto the Creator and Author of eternal life.
God holds us responsible, not for what we have, but for what
we could have; not for what we are, but for what we might be. Every
time we make a choice, we take a chance and that is where we need
to be responsible. We cannot blame others for the choices we have
made. We are responsible for the direction that we choose in our
lives. Responsibility functions as an instrument and mechanism to
point out that we as individuals do affect the perceived world by the
decisions we make each day and by the choices we have made in the
past. We cannot control the situations that befall us, but we can at
least control our attitudes toward them.
Whenever we perform or fail to perform a morally significant
action, we expect that a particular kind of response is warranted.
Praise and blame are perhaps the most obvious forms this reaction
might take. Thus, to be morally responsible for something, say an
action, is to be worthy of a particular kind of reaction—praise,
blame, or something akin to these, for having performed it.
Enoch was commended as a man who pleased God. He
demonstrated the hope of immortality. The repeated phrase, "He
walked with God," affords one of those particular examples of the
effects of God's grace and contains the principle of all that was
excellent in Enoch's character.
Moving from individualism to partnership

Enoch developed and maintained a strong partnership with
God. Such an intimacy with God gives us an increased mutual
affection. The more we know of God the more we will love him.
2 Corinthians 8:23 says, As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow
worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the
churches, a glory to Christ.
God desires to partner with us! He wants us to invite him
into our lives. God says: "Draw nearer to me; and I will
draw nearer to you" (James 4:8). Some people have chosen to operate
as soul proprietors. When we partner with God, we must trust
wholeheartedly that he can and will take care of us. We should
live our lives with the understanding that God has everything in
control. Whereas, when we choose to operate as a soul proprietor,
we are signaling to God that we are in control and that he is not
invited to be a part of our lives.
When we give God a partnership in our lives, we shall receive
the keys to his kingdom. That is what happened to Enoch. He
walked in partnership with God and thereby walked straight into
the kingdom of God. The most valued blessings in life are based
on a sense of partnership. Very close and great friendships, a long-
lasting marriage, harmonious living, and successful businesses are all
built through a sense of partnership.
In order to realize our full potentiality, we must get our mind
and body in tune with each other. Most people find themselves in
the divided condition described by Apostle Paul: the flesh and the
spirit are at war. Hence, we must harness, control and direct our
passions. We have to tame and discipline our body in order that we
can properly serve the soul. If we would become God-centered, our
body and mind will cooperate, to enrich and perfect our lives. The
highest joy comes from mutually beneficial cooperation between
the visible and invisible dimensions of human nature. From God's
standpoint, every aspect of our nature should be treated with respect,
allowed to develop and encouraged to become fruitful.
In unrestricted give and take, Enoch loved God with all his heart,
soul, mind and strength. Hence, he perfected his own humanity,
while enabling God to have a free access to his life. Perfecting one's
humanity refers to simplicity of intention and purity of affection. If
we allow God to reign in our hearts, our nature will be so transformed
that we will do nothing but good and live a holy life.
Victorious living is to live like the Lord Jesus in his relationship
with his Father. It is to live close enough to him to know what
pleases him. In that way, we become a living sacrifice. What follows
will always be a fulfillment of his will and purpose in our lives.
Enoch's partnership with God was through consecration. The
very name "Enoch," with the pregnant significance of Bible names,
means, "dedicated, consecrated and separated." He lived according to his
name and became one of the most enigmatic figures of the Bible.
Enoch was a man of outstanding sanctity. The language of the
psalmist reflects the story of Enoch: But God will redeem my soul
from the power of Sheol; for He will receive me (Psalm 49:15).
Thou hast taken hold of my right hand with Thy counsel thou wilt guide
me, and afterwards receive me to glory (Psalm 73:24).
Enoch walked on the straight path. He knew the way. A man of
God should know the way and show the way to others.
Enoch's courage was sustained by the encouragement that he
received while he walked with God. Courage is the keystone in the
sustenance of our character. We should have the boldness to stand
for what is right, be honest and just. In times of crisis, we need the
attitude of fortitude to keep us from being overcome when things
run over us.
Enoch took the straight road. Look straight ahead, and fix your
eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet;
then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your
feet from following evil. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze
directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways
that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from
evil (Proverbs 4:25-27).
Many a devastating sin has been committed on impulse. Even
one step to the right or left of righteousness could bring disastrous
results. Be like David, who said, The wicked have set their traps for me
along your path, but I will not turn from your commandments (Psalm
119:110). Strict obedience will straighten your road. True freedom
is not choosing to live your own way, but in yielding to God's way.
If you are headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.
May the Lord enable you to have a focused walk with God
similar to that of Enoch.
8
ENOCH TOOK THE RIGHT STEP,

MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE
The Bible says that the steps of a man are ordained by God. Before
Adam and Eve sinned against God, it was a common day-to-day
affair where the presence of the Lord was literally real in the garden
of Eden. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden
in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the
presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8).
It was a sad story in the history of humankind, when man first tried
to hide from his Creator and God because of fear and shame. The
transgression and sin of man's disobedience and "independence"
from God and his wisdom had separated man from God. The day-
to-day fellowship and the walk with God came to an abrupt and
sudden halt.
But it was recorded that Enoch walked with God! What a comfort
to learn of such a possibility where the divine met with the fallen!
In a marvelous way Enoch's obedient and holy life brought about
a change in Adam's helpless race. Enoch did see death of his fellow
men. He seems to have been aware of the fact that it was appointed
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unto men once to die and after this the judgment, because he very
much prophesied on the impending judgment awaiting humankind.
He cleaved to the Holy One who pronounced the death sentence on
men and had faith that only through the Lord God was there hope
and victory over death. "For he that comes to God must believe that
he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek after him."
God translated him in such an unusual manner from the earth that
all might know how dear he was to the heart of God.
"Keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength
to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before
the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to
every man according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12). If you
want to be kept away from the hour of testing which is about to
come upon the whole earth, then you need a faith like Enoch to be
raptured, and walk like him to be found ready like the wise virgins
and have a testimony concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
as the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 3:10).
Even today if you have the desire and determination, then you
can also walk with God. Your decision determines your destiny.
You could be aware of the fact that there is something within
you, behind your emotions, and behind your wishes, an independent
self, that, after all, decides everything. At various points along the
way, God gives all of us certain choices. You can either persevere in
the midst of difficulties and learn valuable lessons about yourself or
you can choose to turn away and take what appears at the moment
to be an easier way. In some instances your choices may even turn
you aside from his perfect will.
In all probabilities from the life that Enoch lived, we can
conclude that he made the right choice to walk with God.
Enoch Took the Right Step, Made the Right Choice 93
God gave Adam responsibility for the garden and told him not
to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Rather than
physically preventing him from eating God gave Adam a choice.
Without choice, Adam would have been like a prisoner, and his
obedience would have been hollow. The two trees provided an exercise
in choice with regards for choosing to obey, and sad consequences
for choosing to disobey. When you are faced with a choice, always
choose to obey God.
Good pasture and available water seemed like wise choice to Lot
at first. But he failed to recognize that wicked Sodom could provide
temptations strong enough to destroy his family. His character was
revealed by the wrong choice he made.
Abraham made a good choice. He had a choice to make
his decision, which was between setting out with his family and
belongings for parts unknown or staying right where he was. He
had to decide between the security of what he already had and the
uncertainty of traveling under God's direction. All he had to carry
on with his journey was God's promise to guide and bless him.
Esau's life was filled with choices he must have regretted
bitterly. He appears to have been a person who was not much
concerned about consequences, reaching to the need of the
moment without realizing what he was giving up, to meet that
need. Trading his birthright for a bowl of stew was the clearest
example of his weakness! He also chose wives against his parents'
wishes. He learned the hard way.
Every time you make a choice you take a chance. You need to
be conscious of the fact that there are consequences to any action
you take. What we do can set into motion a service of events that
may continue long after you are gone. Very often when people make
choices, they only look into the immediate convenience and not at
the ultimate objective or the long-standing consequences. These are

often misleading because they are short lived.
Choose and determine a clear-cut goal in life and work towards
it. Direct all your energies toward fulfilling it. The decision to go
after a goal is the key to success. The determination to stay with it is
what brings out the quality of excellence. Remember how Elijah,
in the Old Testament, following the stunning victory which God
granted him over the priests of Baal at Mount Carmel, sat under the
juniper tree and pouted? He was completely defeated, even though
God had given him great victory. Why? At that moment he did not
have further direction for his life. But the Lord met him at
his point of need, and Elijah went on to further victories in God's
name. Enoch had one goal in life and that was to walk with the Lord
and he pursued it every day for 300 years.
Choose to love—rather than hate

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the
hunger for bread. Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense
of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.
Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to
draw blood in its defense. Love is a sweet tyranny, because the lover
endureth his torments willingly. Hate leaves ugly scars, love leaves
beautiful impressions. Love one another and you will be happy. It's
as simple and as difficult as that. Love must be as much a light, as
it is a flame.
Choose to smile—rather than frown

A smile confuses an approaching frown. It takes seventeen muscles
to smile and forty-three to frown. A smile costs nothing but gives
much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those
who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes

lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along
without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.
Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is
something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some
people are too tired to smile. Give them your smile, as none needs a
smile so much as he who has no more to give. It takes a lot of work
from the face to let out a smile, but just think what a good smile can
bring to the most important muscle of the body—the heart.
Choose to build—rather than destroy

Each of us is a being in himself/herself and a being in society, each
one of us needs to understand one's own self and understand others,
take care of others and be taken care of. We cannot always build
the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
A machine has value only as it produces more than it consumes;
so check your value to the community. A man is called selfish not
for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's. We
cannot live only for ourselves.
Choose to persevere—rather than quit

Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live. The time to relax
is when you don't have time for it. Maturity is achieved when a
person accepts life as full of tension. Half our life is spent trying
to find something to do with the time we tried to save by rushing
through life. Some of the secret joys of living are not found by
rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary
letters along the way. There is more to life than increasing its speed.
Loafing needs no explanation and is its own excuse. If people
concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a
shortage of fishing poles.
Choose to praise—rather than gossip

Some folks pay a compliment like they went down in their pocket
for it. A compliment is usually accompanied with a bow, as if to beg
pardon for paying it. Flatterers look like friends, as wolves like dogs.
Gratitude is the memory of the heart. If the only prayer you said
in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. A thankful
heart sweeps through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so
it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.
Choose to heal—rather than wound

When love is lost, do not bow your head in sadness; instead keep
your head up high and gaze into heaven. Relationships are like glass.
Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than try to hurt yourself
putting it back together. Love is like a puzzle. When you are in love,
all the pieces fit but when your heart gets broken, it takes a while to
get everything back together. God can heal a broken heart, but he
has to have all the pieces.
Choose to give—rather than grasp

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when
you give of yourself that you truly give. The only gift is a portion
of yourself. If you give what can be taken, you are not really giving.
Take what you are given, not what you want to be given. Give what
cannot be taken. If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast
the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend that would be
giving as the angels give.
Choose to act—rather than delay

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday. The sooner
I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up. One of the greatest
labor-saving inventions of today is tomorrow. You may delay, but

time will not. Don't fool yourself that important things can be put
off till tomorrow; they can be put off forever, or not at all.
Choose to forgive—rather than curse

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I
will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note—torn
in two, and burned up, so that it never can be used against another.
It's easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission. The weak can
never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. To forgive
is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. It
warms the heart and cools the sting. It is easier to forgive an enemy
than to forgive a friend. Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge.
Choose to pray—rather than despair

God punishes us mildly by ignoring our prayers and severely by
answering them. When we pray to God we must be seeking nothing.
Prayer changes him who prays. Trouble and perplexity drive to prayer
and prayer drives away perplexity and trouble. The value of consistent
prayer is not that he will hear us, but that we will hear him. We have
to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.
Reactions are choices, too. Though our choices are small when
counted one at a time, their cumulative effect is more powerful than
we can imagine. In reality, these private choices direct our steps,
determine our behavior, change the quality of our relationships and
in the end shape our lives.
9
COMMUNION WITH GOD
It is not just that Enoch walked with God, but we see that God
himself played an active role by walking with him and by taking
him away. It was a walk where time had given way to eternity. It is
beyond human comprehension to see that the perfect holiness of the
heavenly kingdom was truly satisfied in this translation of a sinner
into the divine presence of the kingdom of God. This privilege is
promised only for the redeemed of the Lord.
To have such a walk with God, Enoch would have developed

an unbroken communion and fellowship with God. He would
have sought to keep his mind and thoughts upon God and upon
the things that are true and profitable (Philippians 4:8). He would
have determined to cast down every imagination and to captivate
every thought for God (2 Corinthians 10:5). He would have
endeavored to pray always, to walk and live in a spirit of prayer all
day long. Walking with God means to live a holy and a godly life; an
uncompromising life of separation, keeping away from worldliness,
and a life of self-control (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
99
Nearly about fifty years after the death of Adam, with whom
Enoch must have conversed on the origin of creation, sin and death,
Enoch himself was given an intimation of the life to come. Under
the old dispensation, patriarchs looked for a better, even a heavenly,
country (Genesis 49:18; Job 19:25; Hebrews 11:10, 13, 16), and
confessed that they were strangers on the earth. Just as God transferred
Elijah suddenly from one place to another (1 Kings 18:12), and took
away Philip (Acts 8:39), so Enoch, alive and well, was caught up to
heaven. He walked with God until God took him.
Keep walking
Enoch went forward in faith. He had only one objective—just to
keep walking with God till the end of his life.
Walking with God takes a commitment to do so. It takes an
inner resolve to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit rather than
to the pull of ungodly things in this world. How simple our lives can
become if we have only one objective and one purpose to fulfill.
We learn from Enoch's life story that there is an ultimate
redemption for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ
our Lord. Though the great majority of Christians will experience
physical death, Enoch's example provides hope that Christians will
achieve an ultimate victory over death.
Each of us has an absolute meaning and purpose in God. Each of
us has an absolute beauty in God. God has given each of us talents or
abilities or characters with which we can glorify God. When we put
our talents together to do the work of God in unity and harmony,
God forms us into a spiritual orchestra where each person's role is
very important and where God can demonstrate his mighty work.
By faith we understand that we are created to do the work of God
on earth and inherit the kingdom of God as our heritage.
10
ENOCH'S LIFESTYLE
AS A FAMILY MAN
Enoch was a man like any other man living day-to-day life, carrying
out daily chores, and a married man. He sought the true source of
life and found the pearl of great price for which he willingly gave up
his all in his earthly estate.
Although Enoch had sons and daughters, he did not find family
ties and trials to be incompatible with a life of devotion to God.
Family responsibilities never quenched the fire of his piety, and
family he never allowed pleasures to detract him from the goal of
his consecrated life. It is somewhat interesting to note that it is only
after the birth of Methuselah, when Enoch was 65 years of age, the
record says that he walked with God. The gift of a child possibly
awakened in him a new love for God, as well as a deeper sense of his
responsibility as a father.
Enoch was not ashamed or afraid to tell those around him about
what God had revealed to him. He might have preached about the
Flood judgment that would soon come upon the earth, but there is
101
obviously a reference here to the last days of world history. Enoch

cared enough to tell people about the danger of losing their souls
for eternity. He spoke out against ungodliness in society, and the
false religion of that day. He denounced their daily rebellion against
God. He would have reprimanded so-called Christians for their
lukewarm and half-hearted behavior. This is evident in the fact that
he named his son Methuselah which means: "When he is gone there
will be judgment."
Enoch diligently taught his son the Word of God, and went on
to teach the truth to his family. God allowed Methuselah 969 years
to prepare the world for judgment. . .The Lord is not slow about his
promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing
for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Although Enoch lived in a contaminated age, he kept himself
unspotted from the corrupt world surrounding him. Something of
the wickedness of the antediluvian age in which he lived and which
he witnessed can be gathered from his prophecy, which Jude quotes.
These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they
speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage
(Jude 16, 18).
The Bible uses the word "walk" to describe a person's lifestyle.
Anyone can give a good talk, but Enoch walked with God. Such
a walk implies agreement, for how can two walk together except
there be agreement in mind and will? (Amos 3:3). People who knew
Enoch remembered him for one thing: He was truly dedicated,
just as his name implied. He probably gave more time to be in the
presence of God than his leisure or sleeping time. He probably did
not pray only during times of crisis but all times. Enoch lived a life
of dedication to God. The Bible paints a picture of him as a man
who knew God in a way that most of us rarely dream of. Of course
Enoch's Lifestyle As a Family Man 103
Enoch kept the commandments that were written in his heart as per
Romans 2:11-16:
For there is no partiality with God. For all who have sinned
without the Law will also perish without the Law and all who
have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law. For it
is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the
doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do
not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these,
not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show
the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience
bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else
defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel,
God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
Enoch practiced and lived his faith at all times and he had continuous
fellowship with God. This would include prayer as well as living by
faith and devotion.
The only thing that can sever such a relationship with God is
sin. We can clearly understand that Enoch did not compromise with
what was happening in the world of his day but kept himself clean
and pure. He prophetically spoke out against the ungodly of his day
with these words: "Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His
holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly
of all their ungodly deeds. . ." (Jude 14, 15).
Significantly, Jude goes on to describe these ungodly men as
"murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts" (Jude 16).
Peter reflects Enoch's theme of judgment against fallen angels in
chapter 2 of his second Epistle.
The spectacular testimony of Enoch's exemplary life lies not in
that he dwells in heaven with God, but rather that he agreed with
God's principles and practiced them in his earthly life. The Arabs
have a legend that it was Enoch who invented writing, arithmetic
and astronomy. The Jews affirm that he left many written books. His
solemn prophecy of the Lord's coming "to execute judgment" needs
to be declared to the whole world.
Enoch escaped the death sentence that hangs over every one of
us. He did not die. He passed directly from the life on planet earth to
the glory of heaven. This legendary antediluvian (before the Flood)
patriarch (head of a tribe) can be considered as one of the greatest
biblical pillars in the architecture of patriarchs and prophets. He is
highly regarded in the halls of biblical heroes of the Old Testament
(Hebrews 11:5).
11
ENOCH NEVER TOOK
A SHORTCUT
Enoch followed the biblical perspective on being and doing. I am

sure he maintained a clear distinction between the outer appearance
of "doing" and the inner reality of "being." Jesus focused on this
aspect of being and doing in Matthew 23:25-28.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean
the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of
robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the
inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may
become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear
beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all
uncleanness. So you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but
inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
The basic problem of a Pharisee was not simply a functional approach
applied to his relationship with God but the idea that "doing" somehow
guaranteed the quality of "being" that God expected. The Pharisees
emphasized that "doing" was the means of being in right relationship
with God. Unfortunately, even today some people have not moved
much further than the Pharisees in their religious communities.
105
One of the problems with this function-based instruction, of

course, is that serious and sensitive persons who genuinely attempt
to "do the dos and the don'ts" immediately discover their inability to
accomplish such a goal. This frustration is what I see Paul wrestling
with in: "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am
not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I
hate. But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the law,
confessing that it is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but
sin which indwells me" (Romans 7:15-17).
You may want to do good, but like Paul, you may find yourself
doing the very thing that you hate and you may want to join Paul in
saying, "Wretched man that I am, wretched woman that I am, who will
deliver me? (Romans 7:24). This hard reality focuses your attention
not upon doing but upon being. You need to understand that your
failure is not at the "doing" level. As Paul said, there is another reality
at work deep within us which militates against our "doing" what we
want to do as believers in Christ (Romans 7:23). In such a situation
like this, you need to endeavor to be in it, but not of it.
Balance between being and doing

Jesus' commandment puts being and doing in their true relationship.
He said, "AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH
ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH
ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH" (Mark
12:30). Jesus gives us several insights here, all of which have to do
with the relationship between being and doing. I am not saying
that "being" is everything and "doing" is nothing. Our spiritual
formation is a matter of balance between being and doing; but the
focus, the primary element, is being. It is the outer manifestation of
who you are in your relationship with others and in your interaction
with the events and circumstances of your life. So to love God with
all your strength is to seek to confirm your life to God's standards.
Enoch Never Took a Shortcut 107
On another occasion Jesus said, "There is nothing outside the man

which going into him can defile him if it goes into him; but the things
which proceed out of the man are what defile the man" (Mark 7:15).
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts and
fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness,
as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these
evil things proceed from within and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23).
Our doing flows from our being

Our doing ultimately flows from our being. Our spiritual growth
comes through the shaping of our being in the image of Christ. Our
doing is certainly involved in this process, but we need to work out
a balance between them.
You need to take a few moments to refocus your life, your
attention, your centering before God. Open yourself to what God
wants to do with you. You need a shift of focus if you want to
experience a total spiritual reformation which involves the factors
of being and doing. There is also a deeper dimension involved in
being and doing. It is that which probes the depths of the inner
parameters of who we are.
Today we are largely encountering instant coffee, fast food, quick
fix lifestyle. People want to do everything with lizard quickness not
waiting upon the Lord. As flies to honey, we're drawn to anything
that looks as though it could be faster and easier. In one way it is
a good thing to be smart and fast but thoughtless hurrying can get
you into a lot of trouble. Reality is the difference between what you
wish and what exists. You must shift your focus from perceiving
God as a means to an end to recognizing that he is the end. Enoch
realized this fact, waited for God's time and never took a shortcut.
The Israelites encountered a forty-year journey through the
wilderness. The Bible reveals the intriguing fact that God stopped
them in various places along the way, sometimes for as long as a

year (Numbers 9:22). Though the temptation to pack up and move
on ahead of God's prompting would have been very powerful, they
never took a shortcut.
Slowing down
Believing that the end of your painful road is out there somewhere,
you naturally want to hurry up and get there. But if you're not
careful, Satan could use your sense of urgency against you. When
every fiber of your being is screaming, you need to find a way to slow
down. When you don't apply the brakes at the right time, you may
run over something. If you can practice the discipline of slowing
down and wait for the impulses of God's Spirit, then you will have a
chance to tap into the deepest reservoirs of God's strength. Yet those
who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up
with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk
and not become weary (Isaiah 40:31).
It is very interesting to see that Isaiah adds his own postscript:
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits
on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him (Isaiah 30:18).
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks
Him" (Lamentations 3:25).
Prophet Micah tells us that we must walk humbly with our
God (Micah 6:8). Like Enoch we need to walk with God.
12
ENOCH SURRENDERED
TO GOD'S WILL
Enoch surrendered his will to God's will in order to walk with him.
He took God's yoke and bore it until it became his own desire to do
God's will. He delighted in doing God's will.
Man's greatest honor and privilege is to do the will of God. This
was what the Lord Jesus taught his disciples. He once said, that only
those who did his Father's will, would enter the kingdom of heaven
(Matthew 7:21). He also said that true brothers and sisters are those
who do the will of God (Matthew 12:50).
The entire life and ministry of Jesus was to do the will of his
Father. His daily food was to fulfill his Father's will (John 4:34). We
must let go off our own reasoning. 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 your paths straight (Proverbs
3:5-6). We read in Ephesians 6:5-6, Slaves be obedient. . .not by way
of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of
God from the heart.
109
Dr. Billy Graham says, "To know the will of God is the highest
of all wisdom. Living in the center of God's will. . .puts the stamp of
true sincerity upon our service to God. You can be miserable with
much if you are out of his will, but you can have peace in your heart
with little if you are in the will of God. You can be happy in the
midst of suffering if you are in God's will. You can be calm and at
peace in the midst of persecution as long as you are in the will
of God."
"Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God
there is no success" (Bernard Edinger).
"There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in
the will of God" (Frederick Faber).
"The center of God's will is our only safety" (Betsie Ten Boom).
Walking with God Demands Endurance

What have you endured for the Lord? A man writes about his dream,
which is quoted in the Presbyterian survey. It goes as follows:
I saw in a dream that I was in the heavenly and celestial city,
though when and how I got there I could not tell. I saw one of
a great multitude which no man could number, from all
countries and peoples and times and ages. Somehow I found
that the saint who stood next to me had been in heaven, more
than 1,860 years. "Who are you?" I said to him. (We both
spoke the same language of heavenly Canaan, so we understood
each other.) "I" said he, "was a Roman Christian; I lived in the
days of Apostle Paul, I was one of those who died in Nero's
persecutions. I was covered with pitch and fastened to stake
and set on fire to light up Nero's gardens."
"How awful," I exclaimed. "No" he said, "I was glad to do
something for Jesus. He died on the cross for me." The man
on the other side then spoke, "I have been in heaven only a
few hundred years. I came from an island in the Southern
Enoch Surrendered to God's Will 111
seas—Erromanga. John Williams, a missionary, came and

told me about Jesus, and I too learned to love him. My fellow
countrymen killed the missionary, and they caught and bound
me. I was beaten until I fainted and they thought I was dead,
but I revived. The next day they knocked me on the head,
cooked and ate me."
"How terrible," I said. "No," he answered, "I was glad to die
as a Christian. You see the missionaries had told me that Jesus
was scourged and crowned with thorns for me." Then they
both turned to me and asked, "What did you suffer for him?
Or did you sell what you have had for the money which sent
men like John Williams to tell the heathen about Jesus?" "And
I was speechless. And while they both were looking at me with
sorrowful eyes, I awoke, and it was a dream. But I lay on my
soft bed awake for hours, thinking of the money I had wasted
on my own pleasures; or my extra clothing, and costly car, and
many luxuries; and I realized that I had wasted a considerable
part of my life and my money. In order to escape from suffering
and persecution and wanting to live an easy life I had many
times compromised with the worldly standards."
How about you? Is your life also the same?
Faith—A Common Ground

There was a common ground between Enoch and God. Enoch's
faith was that common ground. It lighted his path, and also opened
the door of heaven.
Faith is trusting God for something to happen which we have
not seen or experienced before. It is different from belief. We believe
something that is already known to us. I don't need faith to believe
that I am wearing a wristwatch. Belief is past tense and faith is future
tense. Augustine said, "Faith is to believe what we do not see, and
the reward of this faith is to see what we believe."
Faith is also construed as trust. The dominant modern tendency
is to widen the distinction between faith as belief and faith as trust.

Someone said, faith as belief is the Martha of Christian existence,
and faith as trust is the Mary (Luke 10:38-42). In the classical
traditions, the content of belief (truths) as well as the ability to
believe were held to be God's gifts; so also for faith as trust.
Faith Is Seeing the Unseen

In Berkeley's translation we read in Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the
conviction of unseen realities." By faith Noah being warned by God
about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark. By faith
Abraham obeyed God and went out not knowing where he was
going. By faith Sarah herself received ability to conceive beyond
human possibility (Hebrews 11:7-11).
Life has no questions that faith cannot answer. But where do we
get this faith? We get it from the Word of God, which is the source
of our faith. George Mueller, the father of faith always prayed with
an open Bible. We must learn the secret of transforming God's Word
into faith-filled petitions. Charles Spurgeon always prayed, "Do
as thou haste said." In this way, we shall also be definitely praying
according to the will of God. We read in 1 John 5:14, 15, This is the
confidence we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His
will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we
know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Faith is confidence in action. It not only passively waits on
God, but also actively seeks to know and do his will. Faith must be
accompanied by works. Once a desert traveler said, "I will loose my
camel and commit it to God." "Friend," said the fellow traveler, "Tie
thy camel and commit it to God."
The object of faith is God himself. We have to trust him where
we cannot trace him. Nothing is too difficult for him (Jeremiah

32:17, 27) and nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Jesus
said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God"
(Luke 18:27).
Paul says, that we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Here, sight not only refers to our physical eyes, but it includes all the
five senses of hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching. Hence,
in other words what Paul says is, we cannot live by the five senses alone;
we need to have faith. Faith is the sight of the inward eye. Jesus said,
"Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (John 20:29). "Faith
sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible"
Faith is daily walking hand in hand with God. If we truly walk by
faith instead of sight, our prayer life should be revolutionized, totally.
This was the secret of Enoch's victorious faith walk with God.
Faith at Work
I had just landed that morning after an exciting trip to Israel—the
land that flows with milk and honey. Little did I know all that was
awaiting me on my return? All passengers waited restlessly waiting by
the side of the conveyer belt, hopefully looking out for the baggage
to come down on the belt. After a half an hour wait, the airline
authorities told us that due to some technical problem, the door
to the cargo section of the plane was refusing to open. Should they
fail in their attempts, the plane would then continue on its onward
flight to Singapore. The passengers would then have to collect their
baggage, the next day, on the aircraft's return flight.
I had a very busy schedule ahead of me in Bangalore. I knew
I could not return to Bombay to collect my baggage, so I started
praying. I had a strong conviction that the Lord would somehow
open the aircraft cargo door. I knelt down by the side of the conveyer
belt, and started praying. Everyone turned around to witness the
sight. I sensed they were staring at me. After praying I got up,
and told them that I prayed in the name of Jesus, the living and
loving God. "My God has opened many iron doors. This is only an
aluminium door. He will definitely open it."
After an hour we got some encouraging news. Word spread
around that the airline staffs had succeeded in pushing the door
open by six inches. I went around telling the people, "My Lord
will definitely open the door." But suddenly the situation took a
different turn. The airline authorities decided to close the door and
resume the flight to Singapore, since they failed to get any further
with their attempt of cracking open the door. All the passengers
were requested to fill the form for unclaimed baggage, so that the
flight could take off. I was the last one to sign that form, since I was
reluctant to do so, because I believed God would answer me and it
would not be necessary. While the officials tried to close the door
and prepare the flight for take off, I started praying: "Lord, don't
allow the door to shut."
Meanwhile, all the passengers started leaving the international
airport, one by one, for the domestic airport. Some left to the city.
They had all resigned to the fact that the baggage could only be
collected the next day. Only one male passenger, who had some
faith in my testimony, decided to stay back on my request. Around
4.30 p.m. I walked across to the Indian Airlines counter at the
international airport to confirm my scheduled flight to Bangalore.
But the officer in charge said, "The computer is out of order," when
I asked him about my onward confirmation. So I started praying for
the computer that it will start functioning. At 5 p.m. the computer
started working, and I was told that my ticket was confirmed. He

urged me to go quickly over to the domestic airport since it was
nearing check-in time for the Bangalore flight. Just then, one of the
airline staffs came running, saying: "Sir your bags have come, God
has heard your prayers. Your faith is great." I affirmed: "Yes, my God
is great—Yes, my God is great. . ."
As I returned to the baggage claim, several airport staffs exclaimed
that God had heard my prayer. I quickly collected my bags and
rushed to the domestic airport. Several of my co-passengers who
were waiting for their connecting flight, sans baggage, were greatly
astonished to see me there with my baggage. One Muslim lady came
up to me and said, "Sir, I regret that I did not believe your words."
Praise be to God! Faith is trusting God for something to happen
which we have not seen or experienced before.
13
ENOCH INCULCATED
KINGDOM VALUES
To reflect God's character we must inculcate kingdom values. Some

people have vision but don't know God's values. Hitler had a clear
vision, but killed six million Jews. Napoleon had a great vision to
conquer the world but he had no value for human lives. Vision
without value is vanity.
What Is Vision?
Someone defined vision, as foresight with insight based on hindsight.
This definition emphasizes the significance of understanding the current
circumstances and possibilities, and shows the value of learning from
the past. But it underscores the importance of looking to the future.
A vision with faith not only sees the invisible but makes it visible in
due time. In other words, it is seeing the invisible. Vision is a bridge
that connects the present to the future. It is about extending the
reality to go beyond the existing state.
You will have to pass on this vision to others if you wish to
117
see the vision come to effect in your ministry. Nehemiah passed

on his vision to the people and they said. "Let us arise and build"
(Nehemiah 2:15-18). Vision connotes a visual reality, a portrait of
conditions that do not currently exist. Hence it is essential for you
to have a clear picture of the vision in your mind; based on God's
empowerment and direction, to make a better future.
The vision of Enoch

Enoch had a great vision to bring people back to a relationship with
God by prophesying about the destruction that is going to come to
the ungodly people (Jude 14-15). The vision to reach the perishing
people should burn in your heart. Talk to God about people before
you talk to people about God. God has given us the ministry of
delivering the message of God to the whole world—the message of
reconciliation. The essential nature of God defines moral values. They
are not something we are free to define for ourselves. Enoch's righteous
and upright moral character is a reflection of God's character.
The Key to Quality of Life

Some people possess far more capability, creativity, efficiency,
competency and initiative than their present jobs allow or require
them to use. Some people try to open the door to the quality of life
using the wrong keys and manipulative practices. The key to quality
of life is the quality of your relationships. It is based on principles,
which are in turn based on biblical values. These principles keep us
from being fooled or confused by mixed feelings that come out of
low values.
Enoch was a man of character with changing habits, developing
virtues, holy desires, pure thoughts and clean passions. Character
development brings a manifestation of your maturity. To value
Enoch Inculcated Kingdom Values 119
oneself and yet subordinate oneself to higher purposes and principles

is the essence of obtaining kingdom values. Value-based principles
should be built into the center of your lives and into the center of
your relationships.
From the testimony of Enoch, we can infer that his whole
focus would have been on character and not on personality. If you
consistently use personality techniques and skills to enhance your
social structure, there is a possibility of damaging your vital character
base. You can't have fruits without the roots. Self-control and self-
discipline are the character roots of interpersonal relationships.
Values Produce Character Traits

Three character traits are developed by those who inculcate kingdom
values. They are integrity, maturity and graciousness. I am sure
Enoch exercised these three character traits.
Integrity
Integrity forms the basis for one's actions on an internally consistent
framework of principles. You can be considered to have integrity
when you base everything you do and believe on the same core set
of values. Even if those values may change over a period of time,
it is their consistency with each other and with your actions that
determine your integrity. The concept of integrity is directly linked
to responsibility. When action fails to achieve the desired effect, a
change of principles is indicated. Accountability is achieved when a
faulty principle is identified and changed to produce a more useful
action. Having integrity means being totally honest and truthful in
every part of your life. Integrity is the core quality of a fruitful
and a joyful life.
Enoch was a man of integrity who consistently lived a life with
the highest values and virtues. Your choice of values like persistence,
courage, and intelligence determine your character and personality.
Integrity is the foundation of character. If you are always honest and
true to yourself you cannot be false to anyone else.
The people who have high integrity are those who always do
the highest quality of work in everything they do. For a believer in
Christ, integrity comes from living by the Word of God. There is
always a tension between what we want to do and what we ought to
do. Integrity establishes the ground rules for resolving this tension.
Integrity brings out a character in us to be in reality what we appear
to be. It is not so much what we do as much as who we are.
You need to clearly identify your values and give priority to those
values in your day-to-day life. This will in turn help you to develop
self-awareness and self-value by making and keeping meaningful
promises and commitments.
Maturity
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word "maturity" as "deliberateness
of action, mature consideration, due deliberation, fullness or
perfection of natural development, ripeness, due promptness, the
state of being complete," and so on.
Maturity is a character trait. If you can express your feelings and
convictions with courage balanced with consideration for the feelings
and convictions of others, then you are considered to be mature. A
mature person looks into facts, goes by his past experience rather
than beliefs, and relies upon his reason rather than his emotions.
He weighs a situation carefully before drawing conclusions. He
is flexible, open-minded and is willing to learn and explore other
possibilities, view points and alternatives. He knows his limitations
and knows how to deal with his anxieties, fears and worries.
Spiritual maturity comes through learning and obeying God's

Word. It comes by making a choice to live by God's viewpoint rather
than human viewpoint. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not
carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
The word "walk" in verse 16 is from the Greek word peripateo,
which means "to walk with a purpose in view." The word "walk"
in verse 25 is translated from another Greek word stoicheo and it
means "step by step, one step at a time." Thus Enoch listened to the
instruction and walked under the control of God. In order to walk
with God like Enoch, you need to have an established testimony
concerning your life that you continually live in a manner pleasing
to God.
Graciousness
Graciousness is a quality of a character born out of a true
understanding of grace. Grace shines throughout the Scripture with
an awesome picture of a longsuffering God. A gracious person is
very cautious while he speaks and would always endeavor not to
hurt or to embarrass another person. He looks out for the comfort
of others.
If you show grace to others, you will receive more grace yourself.
Your graciousness helps you to encourage people to believe in their
capacity to grow, and to bless them even while they are cursing and
judging you. Through this you may be able to grow in your personality
and character. This graciousness can only flow out of a deep sense of
personal worth and security. It results in sharing recognition, profits
and responsibility. It opens up new creative options and alternatives.
It turns personal joy and fulfillment outward. It recognizes unlimited
possibilities for positive interaction, growth and development.
Ego
Keep ego out of your way. If you cannot walk the talk, but can dictate
it to others, then you are being ego-centered. This will become a great
hindrance for you if you want to find a lasting solution because you
are stuck in your ego. Ego demands instant gratification and does
not like to go through the hard path. This hinders your ability to
sense and learn new ways and be transformed in life.
You need to continually assess your own performance and make
continual improvements. In other words, walk the talk. Don't expect
others to do which you are unwilling to do yourself. Are you doing
the things that you have committed to doing? And if not, spend
time analyzing what is blocking you. Is it some sort of obstacle, is
it another person, or is it your own fear? Only through this process
you can bring about a real growth and transformation in your life.
Values Influence Conduct

What you believe will influence what you do. You may be able to
hide your values, character and motives for a while; but when you
do so, you merely introduce another character trait into your life—
hypocrisy! Your true character will one day be exposed and known
to all (1 Timothy 5:24; Proverbs 29:1).
You must focus on God's moral values to specific areas of life.
Values are ideals that guide your personal conduct, interaction with
others, and involvement in your career. They help you to distinguish
what is right from what is wrong and motivates you to conduct
your life in a meaningful way. Personal values, such as honesty,
reliability, and trust, are principles that define your character as a
person and help you to determine how you can face the world and
relate with people.
Cultural values, such as your traditions and customs and the
practice of your faith, are principles that sustain connections with

your cultural roots.
Social values are principles that indicate how you relate
meaningfully to others in social situations, including friends and
colleagues.
Values Make Us Stronger

The values that make us stronger are: honesty, industry, morality,
courage, respect, faith, compassion, humility, discipline and duty.
The secret of long term successful people is that they show these
values by both word and example. Actions have consequences.
Right values shape our behavior towards respect and obedience to
the Word of God.
Your behavior is a reflection of what you truly believe. Sometimes
you are not able to put your belief into action because you have
another belief at work that is overriding or negating the belief you
consciously know is true. So, you should take a careful look at your
conflicting beliefs and resolve it according to your value system.
The most needed value now is gratitude. There is so much to be
grateful for, grateful to our founding fathers, to our families, to our
friends and neighbors, and most of all, to God.
Values Influence Our Priorities

Because of sin's influence, we live in a world that is filled with
conflicting values. More often this involves a conflict between godly
values and sinful conduct, when we value sinful things more than
the things of God. What is highly valued among people is detestable
in God's sight (Luke 16:15). The world is passing away, and also its
lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).
Understanding values play an important role in choosing a
career. You should be able to identify and describe your personal,

cultural, social and work values.
Kingdom Values
To accomplish anything of value, one needs to set goals. Unless you
know where you are going, you will never arrive there! You need to
know the way in order to show the way to others. Without knowing
there is no going.
The ultimate destiny of a believer in Christ is the kingdom of
God. In order to reach this destiny you need to set the right goal and
persevere towards that goal. Never give in except to convictions of
honor and good sense. You should never yield to pressure or to the
apparently overwhelming power of the enemy.
Responsibility
Responsibility is the ability to choose your response. Do your
commitments match your convictions? The first step in managing
your commitment is to take a quick inventory of what you value the
most. Take stock of whether your daily investments of money, time
and energy are aligned with your values.
In these last days there seems to be very less value for moral or
responsible behavior. "But everyone is doing it—it's no big deal,"
is a common slogan we often hear. This is because people put aside
questions of what was sensible, good, right, legal, moral or holy
and consider only what seem to be comfortable, convenient and
viable alternatives. In fact, the "everyone's doing it" excuse amounts
to dropping humanity to its lowest common denominator.
Time and money

Time is a scarce resource. Many people find themselves running short
of time more often than they run out of money. Cash can increase
over time if nature on investment exceeds the cost of capital.
There can be a gap between the things that you value most and
the way you actually spend your time, money and attention. The
value of money lies not in what it can buy but rather in what it took
to make it. Money may be the husk of many things, but not
the kernel. It can buy your food, but not appetite; medicine, but
not health. Money can gain acquaintances, but not friends; servants,
but not loyalty. It can bring happiness but not joy, because joy
comes out of salvation. It can bring prosperity but not peace. "A
man's life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has
more than he needs" (Luke 12:15). Riches are like salt water—the
more you drink the more you thirst.
You can't take your money to heaven but you can make an
investment for eternity. Some people have plenty to live on, but
nothing to live for.
Professed values versus actual behavior

Your professed values should match your actual behavior. You need
to identify the gap between the stated values that receive little of
your attention or a single value that sucks a disproportionate share
of money, time and energy from other values. If your values and
your day-to-day commitment are closely related, then, you will be
able to maintain a balance between your commitment and your
convictions. You need to be careful not to take commitments
without reflecting on the long term costs of dealing with the
emptied promises or the crucial conflicts that may develop with
existing commitments.
You need to manage the gap between what you value and what
you do by carefully re-examining your values from time to time.
Vision with value

Vision with value means: your focus should shift from cost towards
returns, from technicality towards operational impact and from
products to productivity. You must strategize your thinking. In
military terms, strategy is the grand plan by which commanders
attempt to capitalize on their own strengths and exploit their enemy's
weaknesses. This is exactly what we must do in spiritual realm. We
need to realize the strength of the devil and exploit his weakness.
You should never attempt to be everything to everybody; taking
a "shotgun" approach rather than focusing on a specific measure of
value. Expediency and pragmatism are never enough. If you are
going to chart the way into a better future, you must have a compass
of enduring values and principles. Unfortunately, most people live
and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try,
because they lack self-confidence. We are God's masterpiece and
must make the most of it.
Values that govern your life

The values that govern your life form the foundation of your personal
success and fulfillment. Even though you may give highest priority
for your governing values, there often exists a gap between these
ideals and your present realities. But as you grow into more maturity
and gain more experience, you will be able to bring together what
you do and what you value. When your daily activities reflect your
governing values, you experience inner peace: Once we identify our
governing values, we must do something about them. Your values
must form the basis for your goal in life.
Validate your feelings of self-worth. If your self-worth depends
on the approval of others, you may act contrary to your deepest
values. You need to live in accordance with your own values and
only then you will have a sense of fulfillment in your life.
Persevere Toward Your Goal

Never give in until you are convicted by the Holy Spirit of God.
Never yield to force; nor to the apparently overwhelming might of
the enemy.
Those who respond to God's calling are in a spiritual race to
persevere: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding
us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the
joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
To accomplish anything of value one needs to set goals. Unless
we know where we are going, we will never arrive there. A Christian's
ultimate destiny is the kingdom of God. To be victorious in your
Christian living you need to set the right goal.
Seek God's continual guidance

God is calling you to understand his truth, and to respond to that
calling and seek him. Isaiah 55:6-7 say, Seek the LORD while He
may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake
his way; And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to
the LORD, and He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For
He will abundantly pardon.
God gives us many promises of his continuing and loving
guidance. 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 your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God promises that he will direct our paths, and he will guide
us until death. Jesus promised us, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU,
NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU" (Hebrews 13:5).
For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death
(Psalm 48:14).
Finally, what is the right goal of a faithful believer in Christ?
The right goal is the kingdom of God.
Enoch was in pursuit of excellence

After Enoch heard from Adam about the fall of mankind and how
sin entered into the world, he would have taken it as a challenge
to pursue excellence in his life. The pursuit of excellence should be
attempted by small steps using short-term goals. After meeting one
goal, then set another reasonably reachable goal and you can achieve it
by hard work. Each success leads to the next one. Each time with
fasting and prayer visualize where God wants you to be, approach it
with the end in mind. Focus on getting there and with the help of
the Lord you will be there.
You cannot accomplish great things in your life if you have
no idea what they are. You must first become absolutely clear
about what God wants you to do and you must seriously consider
unlocking the extraordinary power that God has bestowed within
you. Spend time visualizing what your goal would look like when it
is accomplished.
We cannot solve problems and prevent consequences by
controlling events. Paul's letter to the Christians shows clearly that
they worshiped created objects instead of the Creator. Their actions
were determined by their physical desires. They were obsessed with
sexual indulgence. Their existence was guided by depraved thinking.
When Paul wrote the letter to Ephesians, he reminded, All of us
also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
nature and following its desires and thoughts (Ephesians 2:1-3).
What was "wrong" with people like this? They placed high value
on things and no value on people. They were ruled by the moment's

desire with total disregard for the future. The basic reason: they were
a people without values.
Today, we are rapidly becoming a people without values by
becoming self-centered and selfish by giving more importance
to things than kindness to people. Our personal pleasure is more
important than our personal commitments. People with values treat
everyone with respect, mercy and compassion. Allow God to be the
foundation of your values. Allow Jesus Christ's teaching to create
the values, which will give your life a foundation.
Evaluate your values

You must always question the value of what you are doing. Values are
relative. What is of value to me may not be of value to you. Living
our life based on wrong values will result in frustration and heartache.
We need to evaluate our values based on the Word of God.
Do our values match God's standards?
14
BE READY TO BE RAPTURED
If someone is walking toward you with the sun behind his back,
then his shadow will reach you before that person reaches you. That
shadow shows you that someone is coming. It will also give you
some idea as to the size and gender of that person. The shadow ahead
of that person is called a foreshadow. The Bible often uses people
or events as foreshadows, to inform of forthcoming events. For
example, we read about the event that Moses struck a rock to bring
forth life-saving water for the people of Israel (Exodus 17:6). The
rock was a foreshadow of Jesus our Savior. The striking of that rock
foreshadowed his crucifixion, many centuries later, in atonement for
our sin (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).
The rapture is the moment of time when the Lord Jesus will
return in the clouds, to take those who have received him as their
Savior and Lord to heaven.
The tribulation is a 7-year period when God will bring disasters

upon the earth, as he judges the world for sin. The rapture will take
131
place prior to the tribulation. It looks like Enoch's rapture and Noah's
Flood are foreshadows of the rapture and tribulation respectively.
We can only consider them as signs and models of the forthcoming
events and cannot use them to determine the exact time intervals.
Enoch was translated from the earth. The term "translated" is
a Bible synonym for "raptured." Hence God's translation of Enoch was
a foreshadow of the very-soon-expected rapture of the Christians
in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Enoch's life reflects a picture of
the faithful church. He was raptured out of this world before the
great Flood of God's judgment in Noah's day. This is a picture of the
rapture of the church before the great Flood of judgment during the
tribulation period (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Somewhere along the way, Enoch got transformed. A parallel
to that would be Elijah who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire. I
mean, he went for a chariot ride and ended up in glory. So you have
those two people who were uniquely taken to the Lord. I think you
are going to have a whole lot more in the rapture. I think what you
see with Enoch and what you see with Elijah in a single illustration is
exactly what's going to happen with the rapture of the church.
God created us not to please ourselves, but to please God. In
order to please God, we must come to God by faith like Abel, walk
with God to the end of our lives like Enoch, and build the huge
ark of salvation like Noah through a holy living and preaching and
teaching the Word of God and making disciples. Furthermore, in
our hearts, we must believe that God is living and he will reward
each of us as well as our children abundantly.
Today, the only way anyone can walk with God and please
God is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is impossible to please
God if we are so captivated by our own needs and by what we see
around us.
Be Ready to Be Raptured 133
There never was a time when it was so important that Christians

in Christ should study the Bible as now. We are living in perilous
times, deceptive influences and the nets and pitfalls of the enemy
are upon all sides, and as we draw near the final moments of earth's
history, the only weapon that is available for us to fight the evil
is the sword which is the Word of God and the only shield that
can protect us from danger is fasting and prayer. David publicly
acknowledges, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not
sin against thee."
We need to watch, work and wait, looking for the blessed
hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior
Christ Jesus (Titus 2:13), and be ready to be raptured when the
trumpet blows.
Fanny Crosby wrote the following song:
"Take the world but give me Jesus
In his cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In addition to authoring 12 books, Prof. Dr. Chandrakumar Manickam

is a professor of theology, and he is the International Vice President
of the International Graduate School of Ministry in Bellevue,
Washington. He has a B.E. degree from the University of Madras,
India; a D.B.A. Post graduate Diploma from the University of
Bangalore, India; B.D. degree from the University of Serampur, India;
an M.T.S degree from International Graduate School, U.S.A.; and
a D.Min. degree from United Theological Seminary, U.S.A., as well
as course work at Dallas Theological Seminary, U.S.A. He speaks
to thousand through radio, television, and print media in over 75
nations. His other books include Leadership Insights from Heroes of
the Bible, Which Way Lord? and Wedlock or Deadlock? published by
Authentic India.

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COMMENDATIONS...

It is suggested that the name Enoch may mean, "experienced." The

The exposition on how Enoch would have constantly and

Copyright © 2011 by Chandrakumar Manickam

First Indian edition 2011

All rights reserved.

Authentic Books is an imprint of Authentic Media, the publishing division of

Printed and bound in India by

11. Enoch Never Took a Shortcut........................................ 105

12. Enoch Surrendered to God's Will .................................. 109

13. Enoch Inculcated Kingdom Values ................................ 117

14. Be Ready to Be Raptured.................................................. 131

About the Author............................................................... 134

As a pastor, minister and author of some 25 books, it is always

I believe this book will prove a valuable addition to any believer's

Dr. Col Stringer

Apart from very little biblical accounts available, fragments of early

In 1952, some manuscripts about Enoch were found among

"dedicated, consecrated and separated." He lived according to his

Some people "watch" history while some people "make" history.

WHO CAN WALK WITH GOD?

Three Things That Enoch Did

1. Enoch pleased God

pleases an earthly father? It is by listening to him and living with

2. Enoch walked with God

want their children to learn to take care of themselves; to stand on

Learning to walk with our heavenly Father is somewhat

Perseverance and continuance

life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from

Enoch, along with Abraham, Isaac and David, was clearly a

Walking implies continuity, progress and purpose

We must regard life as a walk—a metaphor that expresses continuity,

In Robert Frost's, delightful little poem, the sight of snow

if you permit yourself to be turned aside by worldly attractions

Walking with God involves unfailing perseverance. Some people

3. Enoch witnessed for God

In Hebrews 11:5, we are informed that he was translated to

To be a witness for God is to set God always before us, and

our actions. It is to make it our constant care and endeavor

We need to understand that God often takes those soonest

not only an evidence to faith of the reality of a future state, and of

An intimacy between God and you would increase mutual

It brings such great peace and joy to have this confidence in

Enoch submitted himself into God's hands. It all depends in

The Power of Death

The Preciousness of Death

"God Was not Off-duty"

August 29. Stopping in the Gilgit area, he stayed in a tourist

Precious Life; Glorious Death

understanding. Our daughter Rebecca was born with Down

The child specialist suspected Rebecca to have an enlarged

Our eldest daughter, Ruth is a rare gift to us given by God

lacked: courage, patience, and love towards other specially challenged

A SECURE AND INTIMATE

Whenever Enoch's spirit heard the thunders at a distance, his refuge

The psalmist says, But as for me, the nearness of God is my

witnesses. In proportion as the mind becomes wiser by conversing

Walking with God implies that there is a road or a way

Everyone seems to have an external task-oriented self and an

Having achievement as the only goal, sometimes you may be

The benefit of walking with God is the enjoyment of his

Know God Intimately

Every other man mentioned in the Bible up to the time of

honestly, living a humble and holy life as well as listening to and