WALK AS HE WALKED. Profession involves an obligation to act up to the profession. To be or abide in Christ implies an habitual condition, not isolated apprehensions of His presence. Obedience, not feeling, is the test of our union with the Lord. But what does it mean to “walk as He walked”?
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”
I John 2:1-6
Some say it means we are to just “love”, serve and do good. I think this is partially true. We are to love, serve and do good to others. But is this all it means to “walk as He walked”? Peter gives us more insight into this command:
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” I Peter 2:21-24
In both of the above Scriptures, the author’s main address in walking as He walked is in reference to sin, “I write to you so that you may not sin”. “He committed no sin” and suffered innocently. So to those who say, “I have to continue to sin”; how do you address the above Scriptures?
Walking as He walked includes all facets of His walk. We walk in love. We walk in truth. We walk according to grace. We walk in righteousness and holiness. We forgive. We suffer innocently. We extend mercy. We extend comfort and compassion. We serve and give sacrificially. We don’t retaliate. Neither do we seek to cause another to fall. We obey the will of the Father and do not seek our own path. We die. All this AND we do not continue to live a life of sin. This seems to be the message left out of today’s gospel. “My little children, these things I write to you, so you may not sin.” John continues to say in his letter:
“Whoever abides in Him does not (continue to walk in) sin. Whoever (continues in) sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.”
I John 3:6
To walk as He walked means we do not live a life of sin, “that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness”. Many can do good works, even those outside of Christ. Many can serve and do good. Many can love and suffer innocently. But to walk in righteousness, obeying fully the commands and will of God is the defining characteristic of Jesus. He lived a sinless life so we could live a life that overcomes sin. This is the defining characteristic of a Christ follower- a life lived freely from the bondage of sin. “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot (continue to walk in) sin, because he has been born of God.” (v.9)
Therefore, you cannot say you “walk as He walked” if you continue to live a life of sin. It is impossible to be in Christ and to not emulate Christ. You can cast out devils, speak with tongues of angels, prophecy, have gifts of miracles, love, give, help and serve; but if you continue to live in sin; you are not in Christ. If you are not in Christ, you cannot walk as He walked. Period.
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