1 John 2:6 and Eph. 5:1-2 and 8-10 and 15-17
When it comes to the Christian walk with
God, the world sees it as a lifestyle of negatives; “You can’t do this”…”You
don’t do that”… “You “shouldn’t go here or there” and it’s also filled with a
lot of “have to’s” You “have to attend
church”…”You have to give 10% of your income”…“You have to stop doing anything
that’s fun”! But, when I read my Bible,
I see all the things that Jesus did!…It doesn’t list the things that he didn’t
do! And, even our text for today does
not say “Don’t do the things that Jesus didn’t do”… It says “If you want the
assurance that Christ is in you and the assurance that you are growing as a
Christian, then do the things he did!
This morning I want to give you a list of
the positive actions that Jesus took and that we can take, and walk in his
steps. All these spring from the transforming love of God in our lives.When God
changes someone and they surrender to Him, they will begin to walk like Jesus
walked. They will begin to think and act like Jesus thought and acted. There
will be a noticeable differ-ence in their lives that only the presence of God’s
Holy Spirit can bring. Jesus himself said in John 14:12 - “I tell you the
truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing” …“And even
greater things than these.” 1st. Peter 2:21 tells us “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps”…. Jesus said the same thing in John 13:15 - “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
So, if we are to walk as Jesus walked, we need to know what that walk consists of… What was it about Jesus that we are to bring into or apply to our lives as well?
#1. Jesus walked with Compassion.
Mark 6:34 says that “when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them…” Compassion is an emotion that moves us to take some kind of action. It is not pity, because we can have pity on someone without doing anything…But, compassion moves or motivates us to take action. In the case of the scripture I just mentioned, it says that Jesus began to teach them. In compassion he saw that they were “lost” they were wandering around in life with no real understanding; no real know-ledge of truth. We live in an age of selfishness and apathy to the physical and the spiritual needs of others. It’s a “look out for #1 mentality…Or a “Let someone else worry about it” mentality… Or even a “We have organizations and even a government that can take care of that”…mentality. Jesus says we need to walk in compassion as he walked in compassion.
#2. Jesus walked in Power.
In Luke 8:18 it says “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners; and recovery of sight to the blind; to release the oppressed; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!” We Christ-ians sometimes act as though what we have to say to people is like a “bitter pill”!…rather than good news. We need to walk in the power and authority of the Gospel of Christ given by Almighty God! We need to recognize and use the power available to us in the Spirit of God. It’s time we, as the church, stop walking in intimidation and fear, and start walking in the confidence that we profess to have in the God whom we serve! He is! And He can do!
#3. Jesus walked in humility.
Even though he had the power of a million angels at his side, Jesus walked in humility. He became a servant. He always had a non-selfish attitude that looked to the needs of others and put others first. He never used his power in a forceful way, but humbly put his own needs and desires aside, in order to bless those with a real need… Humility requires sacrifice… If we are to walk as Jesus walked, we will be called to sacrifice.
#4. Jesus walked in Knowledge.
One of the greatest problems that has always existed in the church is the problem of Bible illiteracy. There are too many Christians who won’t witness to others because of a fear that they will ask them something about the Bible that they don’t know or can’t answer. So, rather than look stupid, they just don’t do it. If we are to walk as Jesus walked, we must have a thorough knowledge of God’s Word. We need to know and believe - as 2nd. Peter 1:3 says - that the Bible contains “everything we need for life and godliness”…”through our knowledge of Him”. We need to know and understand the many precious promises of God; we need to “add to our faith knowledge” it says…and in an ever increasing measure! This will keep you from being “ineffec-tive and unproductive”…. “Always be ready to give an answer” is the Bible’s admonishment to us…if we are to walk as Jesus walked.
#5. Jesus walked in Unity.
Jesus was united with the Father in heart, purpose, mind, and will. And, he wants us to walk in that unity as well. Not in a unity that say we can’t have a difference of opinions, or that we all think and act alike…that’s not what he’s talking about. But rather it’s a unity that comes from understanding and experiencing the love and power of God; It’s a unity that understands what it means to be in the world but not of the world; It’s a unity that knows and understands the truth of God’s Word and its value in life; It’s a unity that shares the desire to offer the world the free gift, and the option of, eternal life through Jesus Christ…who is the only way of salvation…So they can make an intelligent decision of their own freewill. It’s a unity of a common and shared doctrine within the true church of Christ. If we are to walk as Jesus walked, we will be united in these things.
And, finally, #6. Jesus walked in Expectancy.
Jesus expected people to change. Jesus expected people to be healed. Jesus expected people to be delivered from addictions and abuse. Jesus expected God the Father to answer prayer and to do the unexpected! And, Jesus expects us to walk in that same expectancy as his followers. We need to believe God! We need to believe that God can change and transform even the worst of sinners. We have no right to pick and choose who we think ought to be a part of Christ’s church because he expects all to be a part! It is God’s will that not one should perish! We need to walk believing that “nothing is impossible with God.”
John says in 5:13 - “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know…(have the assurance of)…”eternal life.” Are you walking in His steps? Are you walking with compassion? Are you walking in power? Are you walking in humility at the same time? Are you walking in unity of one heart and mind with Jesus? Are you walking with expectancy?
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