God is with us when we are with Him. What does it look like when a person is walking with God? The Apostle Paul delivers five present tense imperatives that, if practiced, may enable one to walk with God:

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

First, we see that he enjoined them to rejoice. People who are close to God are characterized by an attitude of joy. Rather than being overwhelmed by our circumstances, we display an attitude that chooses to rejoice. We can have this attitude because we know that God is sovereign and that He is ultimately working all things out according to His divine purposes.

Paul then encouraged the church to be made complete. This is a compound word that means to join together so that it functions well. In the New Testament this word is also translated to mend, restore, train, and fully equip. It denotes setting right that which has gone wrong such as broken nets or the setting a broken bone. We are in the process of being made complete in Christ.

The next verb is in the passive voice signifying that we are to be comforted. This word literally means to call alongside and this pictures the Holy Spirit who is our divine Comforter. As we seek to follow Christ, we will face challenges and even persecution at times. Paul may have been reflecting upon the challenges that he and the church at Corinth had been facing as he encouraged his readers:

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, (2 Corinthians 4:1)

We are also to be like-minded. This phrase basically means that we are to exercise our mind so as to have understanding. There are a number of nuances to this word and it has the idea of having a proper opinion of one’s self and to be of the same mind. As Christians we are called to model harmony with one another. As one cynic observed, “To live above, with saints we love, that will be glory. To live below, with saints we know, that’s another story.”

Finally, we are to live in peace. This word pictures the joining together of that which had been separated. This is the antithesis of division or dissension. This word corresponds to the Hebrew concept of shalom. Peace is often the result when a church is like-minded. The result is the God of love and peace will be with you. This is a common theme in Paul’s writings, as we follow Christ, we may enjoy the promise of the God of peace:

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)