Bible Basics

Walking As He Walked

The Scriptures make it clear that our salvation is conditioned upon our obedience to the gospel (Rom. 6:17; Heb. 5:9). As we believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 3:16), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), and are baptized into the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) we find the purification of our soul “in obeying the truth” (1 Peter 1:22). But this is not the end of our obedience to the Lord, but rather the beginning. John writes, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Since “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (v. 5), to “walk in the light as He is in the light” is to live our lives in accordance with the will of God. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (2:6). Does this mean God demands perfection in our lives? Absolutely! Christ is our perfect example who “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). We are to imitate Him and “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Unfortunately we do not always do so, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Furthermore, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). So what do we do? Find out next week.

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

Bible Basics