Christians, Do We Walk the Line?
Do We Walk the Line?
One of my favorite secular songs is Johnny Cash’s Walk The Line. I like that song because the lyrics speak of the great sacrifice a man would make for a woman, thus expressing his obvious love for her. While listening to that song the other day, I started to wonder how many of us could honestly say the words of this song about our relationship with God. As Christians, it’s easy to “talk the talk”…but do we “walk the walk”? Do we “walk the line”?
Think about it. The song opens by saying, “I keep a close watch on this heart of mine/I keep my eyes wide open all the time/I keep the ends out for the tie that binds…” That’s what God wants us to do for him (2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; 1 Pet. 5:8). If we’re willing to do it for people we love, surely we can do it if we love God more than them (Matt. 22:37). We do whatever we can to keep strong ties with those whom we love, but do we do the same for him? If our family or friends need us, we don’t hesitate to go to them…yet do we easily find excuses to not attend church, read our Bibles, and pray?
“I find it very, very easy to be true/I find myself alone when each day’s through/Yes, I’ll admit that I’m a fool for you…” Keeping true to God’s commandments is not burdensome unless our prideful selfishness makes it so (1 John 5:3). Yes, obeying him might make it seem like we’re alone in the world because the majority won’t obey him (Matt. 7:13-14) and will think us to be foolish (1 Cor. 1:18-31). Are we willing to confess Christ anyway (Matt. 5:10-16; 10:32-33)?
“As sure as night is dark and day is light/I keep you on my mind both day and night/And happiness I’ve known proves that it’s right…” So many have a dead faith in God, a faith not backed up by obedient works (James 2:14-26). God wants our faith to be sure, with all our heart (Acts 8:37), and the only way we get that faith is through daily and nightly meditation upon his Word (Rom. 10:17; Ps. 1:1-3). It will be that faith that brings true happiness (Prov. 10:28).
“You’ve got a way to keep me on your side/You give me cause for love that I can’t hide/For you I know I’d even try to turn the tide…” While God does not take away our free will (Josh. 24:15-18), he gives us plenty of motivational reasons to love him. We owe our very existence to him. He sent his Son to take away our sins through a horrible death. He offers us salvation from an eternal hell. What are we willing to do for Him (Rev. 2:10)?
“Because you’re mine/I walk the line.” He is our God…but are we truly his followers? If we love him, we will obey him (John 14:15). We will walk his line.