Walk the talk

 

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER OF JOHN

WALK THE TALK

1 John 2:3-6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

NIV

This almost makes it sound like we would be better to say we do not know him, but the fact is, we do know Jesus, we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior and have attempted to walk in the path of righteousness since that day. We have made an effort to obey his commands, but we are not sure just exactly how successful we have been over the years. Is John saying that because we fail from time to time, or that we just are not truly walking completely one hundred percent perfectly in obeying his word, that we are a lair? How can we obey perfectly, as we are in this frail human form? We try to obey, we want to obey, but we just mess it up at times. Does that count? We have to believe John is making a distinction between a believer and false teacher, or incorrect doctrine, or following after the traditions of men, rather than the word of God. There were certainly many false teachers in that day as there are today. How many claim to know Jesus, or claim to be religious, but in reality continue to live the same way they always did. We do know that our life has changed dramatically over the years, and that we are not walking in the path we once did, but that we are walking in the way God has directed us. However, what strikes at the core of our being is this statement that if we claim to live in him we must walk as Jesus did. How exactly do we do that? Can we teach the truth? Can we heal people? Can we raise someone from the grave? Can we walk on water? Can we calm a storm? Maybe there is a different meaning about walking as Jesus did. Maybe it is not that complicated. To obey his word could mean that we came to the saving knowledge of Jesus and accepted him as our Lord and Savior, or were converted and then to walk as Jesus did would mean to continue to grow in grace, continue in the state of salvation, growing in our knowledge of Jesus. But still, that would have to imply that we walk as Jesus did, being a benefit to the kingdom of God and to our fellow man. In essence, being a benefactor to others. That main walk of Jesus was to the cross. Although he gave us many examples of loving God with our heart, our soul, our mind, and strength and loving our neighbor, he also gave us the example of laying down our life for a friend. This is that putting others before ourselves thing. This is not thinking more highly of ourselves then we should. This is being humble before God and men. There is so much in this walking as Jesus did that has to do with our relationship with others, our attitude about others, our behavior, and about living a life of forgiveness toward others. Even on the cross, Jesus taught us, he gave us that example when he asked the Father to forgive them as they do not know what they are doing. Even in his hour of suffering, he forgave. So walking as Jesus did, has to include always forgiving others, always loving others. Of course, there are some people we do not agree with, and we are not to partner with the ungodly in any way. There are some people we can be completely opposed to their words, their behaviors, their lies, and deceitful way of conducting their lives. Yet, we are still to have love toward them rather than hatred. That is difficult. There are some really evil people doing some really evil things. What it comes down to is that Jesus did not approve of evil people, but he still loved them and went to the cross for them. We simply cannot hate anyone, but we can hate evil deeds. It seems what we have to do is walk the talk, not just talk the walk.