1 John 2:6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.
We who abide in Christ and proclaim to be Christians—Christ followers—must walk in the same way in which Jesus walked. This to me means that we love people, make ourselves available to others when they are in need, care about other people more than our own needs or wants, be generous with our time, talents, gifts and finances, pray for others, commune with God and spend time alone with Him regularly and share our faith and testimony. Our actions must agree with our words. If we say we ‘abide’ in Him, our lives must demonstrate that claim.
It’s not being selfish or self centered. Life is not about serving oneself, but rather, it’s a life of serving God and others. We need to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him—to be ‘self-sacrificing’. Our plans may be disrupted by situations out of our control. Our day may take an unexpected turn because someone is needing our help. We must learn to lay aside our plans and schedules to help someone out. This is being ‘self-sacrificing’. And this is how Jesus walked! He is our example of how we should live and interact with others. He was never ‘put out’ by the cries of those in need. He had compassion on them. His love for them took priority over His own desires, plans and schedule.
Our conduct should reflect Christ’s conduct in all things. While this is true, we should know that it’s not accomplished in ‘human’ strength or by our own ability, but in total dependence upon God. So, we should not think that this is an impossible expectation from our Father, because He has given us the indwelling Holy Spirit—our helper—to empower us and enable us. And He is the one who changes us as we walk in fellowship with Him. We can’t change ourselves; it is the work of the Holy Spirit. We just need to abide in Him! 1 John 2:6 from the Amplified Bible reads: “Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself”.
Will you choose with me today to pray for the same love and compassion for others that Jesus had and to walk in the same way in which He walked?
