Up until a few months ago I walked several miles each week and my legs were strong. Then I was diagnosed with a life threatening illness and I stopped all walking. The time that I was not sitting at my computer I was reclining in my recliner. One day I discovered that I could stand no longer than a minute or so until my legs gave way and I had to sit down. This frightened me, and I was determined to begin walking again and to regain strength in my legs. My legs hurt something terrible, but I walked and made them hurt more. Now I can walk two miles at a rather rapid pace, and I can stand for hours. Praise the Lord!

And it dawned on me that there is a spiritual lesson to be learned here. In a spiritual sense we are to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). We are to "walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5:7). We are to "walk carefully" (Eph. 5:15). We are to "walk properly" (1 Thess. 4:12). And we are to "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7). And if we cease to do these things we lose the spiritual strength to do them! If we stop walking "in newness of life" we lose the strength to "walk in newness of life!" If we stop walking "by faith" we lose the strength to "walk by faith." If we stop walking "carefully" we lose the strength to "walk carefully." If we stop walking "properly" we lose the strength to "walk properly." And if we stop walking "in the light" we lose the strength to "walk in the light."

Doing all of the above is essential for our present and eternal salvation. So if you find yourself spiritually where I was physically, then you are going to have to do something to get your spiritual strength back so that you can begin your spiritual walking again. I did not get my physical strength back without much pain and effort, and your spiritual strength won't return without much effort and sacrifice on your part. But if you will do as Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:7 and "exercise yourself toward godliness" then you will regain your spiritual strength and rejoice in it.

- The Exhorter, Dec. 30, 2012