By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2: 3-6 ESV
What does it mean to walk in the way that Jesus walked? We know that he lived a perfect life by never sinning, performed miracles, and taught great crowds of people. He was and is the most amazing person that has ever lived on the face of the earth. It would be frustrating to believe that you or I could live and do all that Jesus did in the very same way. Jesus was God in the flesh, and we could never do what he did or does because we have a sin nature. Yet the verse states that we are to walk as Jesus walked. God knows our limitations, and so he will not ask us that which is impossible for us to do. However, He will enable us by the indwelling Holy Spirit to walk in three very important ways as a Christian.

THE WAY IN OBEDIENCE:
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 ESV …………. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross. Philippians 2:8 ESV
Jesus lived in obedience to His Father’s will. He never asks of us, as Christians, to do that which He himself wasn’t willing to do. Obedience is evidence of the salvation received from God through his Son Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you OBEY its passion. Romans 6:12 ESV……. Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one who you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness. Romans 6: 16 ESV True obedience is to follow in the steps of Jesus and serve Him as Lord and Master of your life. “Impossible!” you might say, but you must remember you did not have the power to save yourself from sin, and you don’t have the power to overcome it by yourself. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV To walk in obedience is to walk like Jesus walked.

THE WAY IN FORGIVENESS:
Forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3: 13 ESV
Jesus came to offer forgiveness to all who would confess and repent of sin. The sin for which we confess and repent is the very sin that Jesus took the punishment for upon the cross. The next time you might say, “They just hurt me badly, I just cannot find forgiveness in my heart for them,” ask yourself, Is this how you would want Jesus to look at you and the sin you committed? This is not to downplay the hurt you may have experienced, nor the fact a person might not deserve forgiveness, but the Christian needs to give grace as grace has been given to them. Remember the words of Jesus upon the cross when being crucified, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34 ESV To give forgiveness where forgiveness is not deserved is to walk like Jesus walked.

THE WAY IN LOVE:
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV
Love should be the address where every Christian lives. If someone was asking directions to the Christians life, it should go something like this….. take the street on the right called Faith and travel several blocks till you come to Hope Street; turn left and go a little ways, then turn right on Love and you will find them there. It was always where you would find Jesus…… loving people wherever he went. He especially loved those whom others didn’t, and perhaps for the first time they experienced the true touch of love. It changed their lives, and it will change the lives of those around us if we will walk as Jesus and show love —and in some cases undeserved love- toward others. God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV Sin brings and brought great pain to God who loves beyond measure, and proving His love for us, He sent His only Son to die in our place. Emulating another person’s life shows admiration for that person and shouldn’t we be like that towards God? Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. AND WALK IN LOVE, AS CHRIST LOVED us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

APPLICATION:
While only three of the many attributes of Jesus’s walk was presented today, know there are many other ways in which Jesus walked that we should emulate. Being like Jesus can be a battle because we are dealing with our flesh which is contrary to the Holy Spirit. Never give up… always press on to the calling which as Christians we have been called to— that is to emulate Jesus’s life by letting His light shine through us. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 ESV Let me close with this challenge……… Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, ……. SO WALK IN HIM, …… rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 ESV

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David