A WORTHY WALK

TEXT: 1JOHN 2:1-19

KEY VERSE: “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1John 2:6)

In an era when every justin, Tom and Harry claim and wear the tag of “child of God”, John the beloved admonishes believers to go beyond the empty claim of knowing God. In verse 6 of the chapter, he uses the phrase, “ought to walk”. It means that if we claim allegiance to God, we have a moral burden and obligation to follow Christ’s steps. It is only those who live according to the will of God that will remain in fellowship with both the Father and the Son.

Believers are admonished to hold onto Jesus, who alone is the Saviour of the world and our Advocate “with the Father”. Every professing Christian must genuinely follow the path of righteousness as Christ did. Christ-like life and walk is only possible through the gracious experience of salvation. To obtain this experience, the sinner must turn away from sin, believe that Jesus the Son of God died and rose again to procure forgiveness for him/her and receive Him as His personal Lord and Saviour. As Christ comes in, He activates his/her heart to love God and live a righteous lifestyle.

One who is saved will be different from a pack of other so-called Christians who make mere profession of their love for Christ but live contrary to Him. It is strange to note that many churches today are populated with people who are bereft of genuine experience of salvation. Any superstructure without a foundation will surely collapse. That is why John the beloved conveyed God’s message of Christ-like living to all classes of people.

As witnesses for Christ, we must carefully and wisely choose words to suit those we witness to in order to forget that we are in the last days and this truth places a heavy burden on us to watch over our lives while guiding others on the path of righteousness and into God’s kingdom.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Those who walk worthy of their profession of faith will ultimately fulfil destiny.
COVER to COVER: EXODUS 4-6.

WEIGH YOURSELF ON THE BALANCE:

The depth of your knowledge of God is known by the degree of obedience to His word and submission to His will v3-5.
If you are truly abiding in Him, you will (not may) walk the same way Jesus did. v6.
3.The degree of the light of God in you is reflected in how much you love your brethren, especially those who don't show love to you. v7-11.
3 levels of spiritual maturity v12-14. How do you classify yourself? If you are not strong and victorious over the wicked and his devices, you are still a babe no matter how long you got converted.
If you secretly appreciate or succumb to fleshly lusts/desires; if you have not totally conquered the lust of the eyes like Eve; and if the pride of life or what people will say/think about you is the determinant of your actions and decisions, then you don't have love for the Father. v15-17. Nothing so clear.

HYMN: Oh, to be like Thee

Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

2 Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find. [Refrain]

3 Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save. [Refrain]

4 Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine. [Refrain]

5 Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above. [Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:

Lord, I want more of your light in my soul and let it manifest in more love for the brethren without discrimination.
Give me more power and abounding grace that others will see more of Christ in me.
I want to move to another level of maturity. Let the Holy Spirit cause a stirring in me that will not rest until I move higher to another level.
Let the blood of Jesus totally rinse my heart and cleanse every trace of the lust of the flesh, eyes and pride of life. Make me dead to the world.
Release more grace to your your Church for members to truly be living out Christ for the world to see.