How did you get to your destination? A new year can be likened to a new path where no one knows anything about it. It is dangerous to travel this year without God. God everything about the year because He created time and seasons.
He has the template of how to Navigate the yeat Those who choose to journey with God are assured of safe landing but those who refuse live on chance. Today’s lesson focuses on following a new path of walking closely with the God who knows the end from the beginning. You can read more similar posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.
Biblical View on Closeness to God
What does it mean to follow a new path of closeness with God?
Following a new path in the New Year means changing the direction you were following before It involves looking back to think on how you walked with God in the previous year and deciding to leave the old path of being far away from God and getting closer to him, drawing nearer to God and committing your ways unto Him.
In James 4:8a, ApostleJarnes encourages believers to draw near to God. There are several issues of life which can make a person deviate (to be far away) from the Lord.
To draw near to God is not just about attending Sunday worship, it is about having a consistent walk with God through personal daily devotion, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
This is the path God desires that children follow in the year. It is a path to a smooth relationship with Him. God desires that His children walk closely with Him as He did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before the fall.
In the cool of the evening, God would come to Adam and Eve to talk and fellowship with them. It is important to note that closeness to God is a pathway of salvation, peace, rest, joy, and eternal life is the new path God is calling everyone into. Will you obey James’s advice and follow God’s path?
Why should children be close to God?
The journey of the year is new, and no one has travelled it, but God knows the way. God is the creator of times and seasons.
He knows what the year holds and He controls all things. That is why it is important to walk closely with Him so that He can lead the way.
You can be sure that His presence will abide with you such that whatever lies in the year will work for your good. He will also help you overcome all of life’s challenges and teach you the best path for your life.
How to Follow the New Path of Closeness with God
Quit the Old Path of Bad Behaviour
Someone once said, ‘Sin is departing from God; grace is returning to Him.’When you keep on displaying bad behaviours such as fighting, cheating, stealing, lying, abusing and so on, you are separating yourself from God. It also means you are still following the old path.
But the new path God is calling you to walk is to have a cordial relationship through fellowship with Him. When a man draws near to God, he will no longer remain and walk in sin.
Sin will become an old path.2 Corinthians 5:17 says if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have gone and new things have begun.
Read and Study your Bible Daily
The Bible is the Word of God that every serious believer must read regularly to get guidance and direction from God. As you read and study it daily, you will get to know God’s will and plan for your life throughout the year. It will guide you on how to live daily.
Pray Regularly
Prayer is a way to communicate with God. Children need to pray without ceasing. Prayer is necessary to walk rightly with God. It enables us to overcome temptations. Jesus told His disciples at Gethsemane to pray so that they would not fall into temptation,(Luke 22:40; Mark 14:41).
Prayer is also necessary to know the will of God for one’s life. It protects against dangers and satanic attacks. Prayer is also important to achieve all your plans and aspirations in the year, according to God’s will (Psalm 37:5).
Live Holy
Sin separates man from God but holiness pleases God. The moment the first man and woman fell, sin became a part of humanity, disconnecting us from God. Psalm 15:1-5 says, who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands. Clean hands refer to one’s actions. What actions do you exhibit-fighting, cheating, stealing?
They are part of the old path that you must no longer walk. Our lifestyle through our actions must demonstrate a new life in Christ.
It is the way we live daily that will show if we are taking a new path in Christ. Jesus, while speaking to His disciples on the mount in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are pure in heart, for they shall see God.
The verse shows that Jesus is concerned about the state of our hearts. Is your heart right with God? As Christ’s disciples, avoid bad thoughts, dirty words and other bad actions.
Rather, be truthful and honest in all you do. Commit today that you will follow the path of living a holy life that pleases God, starting from now and throughout the year.
Biblical View about Obedience
A kidnapped victim narrated how God delivered him from his abductors without his family paying any ransom. It happened that suddenly, someone tapped him and told him to stand up and follow him.
Immediately, he woke up and saw that the kidnappers were fast asleep with their AK 47 in their hands along with other victims. He quickly stood up, followed the man and obeyed every instruction he gave him. He trekked for two days in the bush before he finally got home.
Two days after his arrival, the kidnappers were calling his family on how much to pay as ransom. If he had not obeyed, what would have happened to him?
What Is Obedience?
Obedience is the act of doing exactly what is asked to do. It is also being dutiful and submissive to a higher authority.
As believers, obedience means surrendering one’s will to God. There is nothing like partial or half obedience; obedience must be total. It is a virtue that every Christian must cultivate.
For instance, men in the force like the Army and Police understand obedience as it relates to their professions. Similarly, God desires such loyalty and commitment from His children.
There are many benefits to obedience, and when we obey God, it shows that we love Him. It is therefore important for us to live a life of total obedience from the beginning of the year.
Importance and Benefits of Obedience as Young Disciples of Christ
Obedience is an important requirement for anyone who aspires to please God. Christian children need to be obedient to God’s words and instructions.
It is also important to be obedient to your parents, teachers and elders. This is because obedience has many benefits. Below are some of the benefits of being obedient as children and Christ’s young disciples.
Obedience empowers great accomplishments
The apostles demonstrated total obedience to God regardless of the problems they encountered in spreading God and encouraging one another.
God performed many signs and wonders. They continued to gather together in unity, to preach and teach the Word of through them among the people, which firmly established the church of God(Acts 5:12-16)So obedience to instruction gives us power to accomplish great things in life.
Obedience enables someone to win the favour of God and people
When you form the habit of being obedient to God through His Word and godly instructions of your parents, teachers and other people, you will find favour in their sight.
Obedience to God’s instructions will make you prosper in all your ways according to Joshua 1:8. Also, your parents and teachers will be proud of you.
Obedience is an indication of love for God, parents, and elderly ones
Jesus told His disciples in John 14:15,“If you love me, keep my commands”(NIV.)So, acts of obedience to God’s instructions and people show that we love them.
Obedience is the only way to experience endless joy in the Lord
Deuteronomy 28:1- 14 states the various blessings that follow obedience to God’s instructions.
Ask the children if they have received certain blessings from God or gifts from their parents or teachers because they were obedient to given instructions. How did you? You would certainly be happy. So obedience to instructions is a sure path to everlasting joy in the Lord.
Conclusion
Christians are expected to obey God’s commands. Sometimes constituted authorities give orders against the believer’s faith, expecting them to comply. Our priority must be to obey God rather than such laws. As Christian children, you must be obedient at home, school and church. Any child who wants to enjoy the blessings of God and other people must be ready to be obedient.
Meditate
God is calling you to follow a new path, which is the way of life. It is by building an intimate walk with God this New Year. Have you found Christ’s way and are you walking in it? It is the way that leads to life eternal with God. In it, you will have fellowship with God, peace with Him and people, and an abundance of all other blessings. May the Lord help you to always desire to walk in the path of life in Christ Jesus.
