Today, Monday July 05
Walking Like Jesus Walked
1 John 2:4-6 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
John, in these first two chapters of his epistle, is making sure that our talk is backed up by our walk. The word “walk” is used repeatedly in these verses. “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness…” (v. 1:6); “But if we walk in the light…” (v. 1:7); “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (v. 2:6) We all know what it means to walk. You simply take a step at a time in the same direction by putting one foot in front of the other!
Spiritually speaking, it means that we “walk in the same way” that Jesus walked. John, as a disciple of Jesus, spent three plus years literally and physically “walking” with Jesus. He was a first-hand observer of how Jesus walked. Now he is telling us, that if we want to “know” that we in Him, we will also “walk in the same way” Jesus walked.
John has already warned us that we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we are in fellowship with God when in reality we are not. So he gives us a check list to match up our walk with our talk! How did Jesus walk? And in a practical way, how can we know that we are walking “in the same way” Jesus walked?
Here is a simple list. To walk like Jesus walked means that we love like Jesus loved. Jesus was “moved with compassion” as He saw people in their lost condition and wandering around like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36) We also will love and care for others like Jesus did. It means that we will be obedient to the “will of the Father” and always do those things that please the Father.
It means that we will pray and intercede for others like Jesus did (v. 2:1). We will give like Jesus gave. We will teach others about the grace and mercy like Jesus did. We will disciple others to spiritual maturity like Jesus did. Read the Gospels and the list will go on and on.
Finally, to “walk in the same way” as Jesus walked will mean that we will forgive others who have hurt, offended, or abused us in anyway, like Jesus forgave those who were beating, mocking and crucifying Him. This can only be possible because we have personally experienced the forgiveness of God ourselves through the “propitiation” of Jesus on the cross. “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)
How is your walk going today?
God bless!