1 John 2:6: Walk In The Same Way

1 John 2:6
[6] whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (ESV)

Being a follower of Jesus Christ is not always easy.  The ones who truly know Him know that being identified with Jesus can attract persecution.  Not everyone is thrilled to know that you belong to the Savior.  Not everyone enjoys being around you when your lifestyle is so very different from the world.  Those who belong to the world feel conspicuous when they around you.  And this is not because you are trying to make them feel conspicuous, but when darkness is around light it is exposed.

John tells us that those who say that they abide in Christ ought to walk in the same way that Jesus walked.  How are you walking?  We are going to look at just two of the characteristics of a walk that looks the same as a Jesus walk.  The Apostle Paul is going to help us with the two characteristics.  Take a look at how he describes the Savior in Philippians 2:

Philippians 2:5–8
[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV)

First of all, a Jesus walk is a humble walk.  Even though Jesus was fully God he did not go around claiming his full deity, but rather took a lowly position of a servant.  He emptied himself.  As you think of your walk on this Earth would you say that you have emptied yourself?  That would mean emptying yourself of your agenda, having to have your way, making things about you.  A humble Jesus walker puts the needs of others first and looks for opportunities to serve.

Secondly, Jesus was obedient.  In fact, Paul told the Philippians that Jesus was obedient to the point of death.  A quick look at the church in our culture today will tell you that many people who claim to be Jesus walking are in fact at a stand still.  They are caught up in gossip, lies, envy divisiveness, greed, and even immorality. How is your Jesus walk?  Are you obeying his commands, to the point of death?  Or do you pick and choose what things you will obey if it is convenient?

Jesus walking is hard.  But, he has given you his Holy Spirit to live in you and empower you to walk right.  He will help you.  Lord Jesus, help us to walk humbly and obediently with you.