The Apostle Paul and the Fitbit Craze

About 18 months ago, my son Paul gave Teresa and I a “fitbit”, a wristband device that monitors the steps a person takes in a day.  All this and more are then accessible through an app on a person’s cell phone.  Tracking a person’s steps causes them to consider walking more.  One person recently told me that his company now monitors the steps employees take in a day because their health insurance company will reduce the rates charged for all persons who average over 6,000 steps a day.  I can now see where the future is headed.

 
Almost two thousand years before the invention of the fitbit, there was an apostle who was also interested in the walk of believers.  Paul may not have been the first proponent of the modern “fitbit” technology craze, but he did understand the importance of the proper lifestyle.  More often than most of us realize, Paul told believers to, “Walk…”
 
“…in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4)
“…according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:4)
“…according to love.” (Rom 14:15)
“…by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7)
“…by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16&25)
“…in good works, which God prepared beforehand,” (Eph 2:10)
“…in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” (Eph 4:1)
“…in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us,” (Eph 5:2)
“…as children of Light,” (Eph 5:8)
“…in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects,” (Col 1:10)
“…in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom,” (1 Thess 2:12)

At the same time, Paul warned against, “Not walking…”

 
“…according to the flesh,” (Rom 8:4)
“…like mere men.” (1 Cor 3:3)
“…in craftiness or adulterating the word of truth,” (2 Cor 4:2)
“…according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of that spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,” (Eph 2:2)
“…as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,” (Eph 4:17)
“…not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time,” (Eph 5:15-16)

Just in case believers do not know how to program and operate their fitbits, the apostles have provided the following instructions, “Walk…”

 
“…according to the pattern you have in us (Paul, the apostles, and disciples)” (Phil 3:17)
“…as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” (Col 2:6)
“…as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God,” (1 Thes 4:1)
“…in the Light as He Himself is in the Light,” (1 John 1:7)
“…in the same manner as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)
“…in truth, just as we have received the commandment to do from the Father.” (2 John 1:4)
“…according to His commandments…just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk,” (2 John 1:6)
“…in truth.” (3 John 1-3-4)

In the end, everyone will catch the craze, as it is written, “The nations will walk by its light (light from God and the Lamb),” (Rev 21:24)

(Scott)