Walk Like Jesus

³And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments ⁴He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.⁶He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

-First John 2:3-6 (KJV)

We've been studying the last few days about keeping the commands of God and walking in His ways. We've studying about the importance of staying on course, keeping pure and living as God expects. Today, I want to look at these passages in First John because they bring home the point, make it more personal.

Verse 3 says, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." Keeping the commands of God is proof of your love and relationship with Jesus. Anyone can say that they follow Jesus, but the proof is in the way they live their lives. John makes that point in verse 4, "He that saith, 'I know him,' and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Too many Christians today are willing to say "I love Jesus," but are not willing to live according to the principles of His Word. It's clear, in this verse, that if you or I don't follow the commands of Jesus, the truth is not in us. Jesus don't need any more Sunday Christians, there are enough of them right now. A Sunday Christian is one who comes into church each week, dressed with the finest clothes, carrying the biggest Bible and sits down right up front. Then when Monday rolls around, they forget God even exists. We show proof of our relationship with God, through Jesus, by following the commands of Jesus in the Word.

Verse 5 shows us the flip side of the coin. "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." Notice the middle part of this verse. The love of God is perfected by the one who keeps the Word of God. I don't know about you, but I want the love of God in my life, and to have it perfect makes it even better!

 Keeping the commands of Jesus means more than just knowing them. We must do them, we must practice them. We must allow the commands of God to change us and mold us into the people He wants us to be. That's the thought, I believe, that John is making here. The mere knowledge of the Words of Jesus means nothing, as shown in verse 4. But, when you allow those Words to take hold of your life, that means everything. Look at verse 6, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." This happens when we apply the Word to our lives. If we keep His commandments, we must walk as Jesus walked. Are you ready to change the way you walk? As we start 2012, commit to following the commands of God, allowing them to change you from the inside out. Then, start walking as Jesus walked, in full obedience to the Father. Are you ready to commit to this? Think About It.