We’d like to introduce you to Enoch, the man who had a flourishing friendship with God and who kept His commandments. Enoch was an ordinary person, like you and I. He had a family, a job, and lived in a society morally corrupt more than ours. In fact, the people of Enoch’s day were so wicked that God was ready to destroy them with a flood (See Genesis 6:5–7).

The Bible says, “And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years” (Genesis 5:21, 22). So, after the birth of his first son, Enoch began his walk with God. As Enoch felt his own heart throbbing with a deep love and tenderness for his dear son, he began to understand the wonderful love of God to man in the gift of His Son. He learned to confidently trust His Heavenly Father and that’s when he started two life-changing habits:

> He meditated day and night on the measureless love of God through Christ (See Psalm 1:1, 2).

> He tried to reveal God’s love to the people around him.

As he went about the duties as a husband, father, citizen, and friend, he walked and talked with God. Have you wondered how Enoch knew so much about God considering he had no Bible scrolls? Enoch learned about Him from the first man who talked to God face to face. Adam told him the dark story of the fall, and the incredible account of God’s mercy in the promise of the Redeemer of the world. (See Genesis 3:15.)

You may say, “Sure, I would like to walk with God, but what does that mean?” The prophet Amos explains it this way, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). So, to walk with God implies agreement with God in every aspect of my life–how I worship, how I use my time, how I live, and whom I marry. So, to walk with God I must agree with Him about every decision in my life, great or small.

Home

Enoch agreed with God in the choice of his home. He chose to live in the country away from the corrupt influences of the ungodly. He moved his family to where the moral atmosphere would be pure as it is written, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). (See Isaiah 32:18.)

Occupation

God showed Enoch in prophetic vision how He would destroy the world by a Flood. He also revealed to him, more fully, the plan of redemption, and the second coming of Christ. “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed” (Jude 14, 15).

Then Enoch became a preacher of righteousness, sharing with others what God had revealed to him. He preached publicly about the love of God.

Hospitality

Enoch was a hospitable man. (See Hebrews 13:2.) After preaching in the city, he always brought some people back home with him to show them how to live. (See The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 1, pp. 1087, 1088.)

What was Enoch’s secret for having such a close and unbroken relationship with God? He had faith in God, commitment and perseverance. Let’s look how we can develop these traits in our life.

Talk it over with God

A healthy relationship with God needs to have good communication. Enoch spent much time in meditation, and he prayed “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He discussed with God every aspect of his life. What about you? Do you spend quality time in prayer, discussing your plans with God at the beginning of each day? Are you asking Him to add or delete activities as His providence indicates?

When you must make an important decision such as which school to attend, which job to accept, where to move, do you consult with the Lord? Enoch consulted with God about everything. “In his home and in his business, he inquired, ‘Will this be acceptable to the Lord?’—My Life Today, p. 98. [Emphasis added.]

“But you don’t understand,” you may say, “I’m too busy with school and work to spend time with God.” Enoch was also a very busy man, but he constantly maintained his communion with God. In fact, the more pressing his workload, the more constant and earnest were his prayers.

Listen to God

So, you’ve just poured out your heart to God in prayer. Now it’s time to hear Him speaking to you as in His word. As you read the Scriptures, search to get to know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Friend. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

Take a moment and think about how you feel when you eat your favorite food or dessert. Don’t you eat it slowly, smiling and relishing every bite? That’s what reading and studying God’s word should be like. Jeremiah experienced this and you may also! He says, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). So, when I read God’s word I ask Him, “Lord, help my communion with you be sweet today.” And He promises to make it “sweeter than honey” (See Psalm 119:103.) Guaranteed!

Imitate Christ

As Enoch was reflecting on the character of Christ, he soon started revealing the same qualities of goodness, mercy, compassion, patience, humility and love. “His association with Christ day by day transformed him into the image of Him with whom he was so intimately connected.”—The Review and Herald, April 28, 1891. (Emphasis added.)

Would you like to change from your own selfish ways into Christ’s loving and selfless ways? By “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, 3), you will learn to adore and reverence Him. Then obeying Him will be your greatest joy. With David you will say, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).

Make God your constant companion

Once, you’ve talked to God in prayer and He has spoken to you by His Word, you’ll want to take Him along wherever you go—to work, to school, to your leisure activities, and to your home. (See Jeremiah 33:3.)

Train your mind

In this world of many distractions are you staying focused on preparing for the kingdom of God? (See Matthew 6:33.) Enoch didn’t allow his mind to wander. “He trained his mind to devotion, to love purity.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 122. (See Psalm 119:140.) Instead of allowing our thoughts to wander on any subject, let us keep them focused on truth and purity. (See Philippians 4:8.)

Have faith

“Did he [Enoch] see God by his side? Only by faith. He knew that the Lord was there, and he adhered steadfastly to the principles of truth.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1087.

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). [Emphasis added.] Every Christian has a testimony which people are observing. Is yours positive like Enoch’s?

For 300 years, Enoch walked with God seeking purity of heart and mind. Each day he longed to get just a little closer to Him. Now he stood at the threshold of the eternal world; there was only a step between him and heaven. God could not bear to be separated from His faithful son, so one day He opened the heavens, and Enoch ascended into the clouds, and entered the gates of the Holy City. “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Now the walk that he so long pursued on this earth continues for eternity.

Enoch is a prototype of last-day believers. His godly character represents the state of holiness which we must attain before being redeemed from the earth at Christ’s second coming. (See Matthew 5:8.) Like Enoch, we must warn the world of God’s judgments and be a witness by our lives. Then, if faithful, we will be translated to heaven.

Are you ready to have a radical change in your life? You may if you will accept the privilege of daily talking and counseling with the Creator of the universe. He is looking for dedicated young men and women who will study and believe His word, talk to Him in prayer, and please Him in every aspect of their lives. God is looking for ambassadors who will demonstrate, to the world, that it is possible to keep His commandments. Are you ready to take on the job?