“WITH HIM” IS “LIKE HIM”

You might be wondering, what kind of a title is, “WITH HIM, IS LIKE HIM.” Allow me to add a couple of words to bring the full picture into the open – “Walking with Him” means, “Walking Like Him” – just like Jesus Christ of Nazareth, in our thoughts, words and deeds. This is what the LORD God Almighty, our Creator, and our Redeemer, wants and desires from us, as His disciples and ambassadors.
– “6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” – 1 John 2:6

Let us read the above verse in the Amplified Bible version. This gives us greater clarity and deeper understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus.
– “6 whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Saviour] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.” – 1 John 2:6-Amplified Bible

Just because someone claims to be walking with Jesus, and has all the right words and a beliefs system, based on the doctrines of the Church, does not make him a Christian. Sadly, we don’t seem to emphasise on this fundamental aspect of being a Christian. The church seems to be more than happy for “its adherents” to make a confessional statement, and that seems to be enough. The LORD, and His written Word, the Bible, is absolutely clear that *”Walking with Jesus” is just not the same as, “Walking Like Jesus.”* They are two entirely different things, if not opposite to each other.
– “20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:20-21
– “19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” – James 2:19-20

Oh what a pity that we claim to be Christians, yet we are like the fig tree, that our LORD had cursed, because it had no fruit, even though it had all the outward trappings of a tree full of fruit – Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:12–14, 20–25. Walking with Jesus means, walking just like Jesus.
– “Walking as Jesus walked involves imitating His character, actions, and attitudes. This includes love, humility, service, and obedience to the Father…Our claim to know Christ is validated by our lifestyle. True faith is demonstrated through actions that align with Jesus’ teachings…In a world with competing values and false teachings, staying rooted in Christ and His example is crucial for maintaining a faithful witness.” – Berean Study Bible Notes

Let us see some scripture portions which help us get a greater picture of what we are talking about.
– “13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” – John 13:13-17
– “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35
– ’21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” – 1 Peter 2:21

What about us, this morning? Where are we standing on this spiritual equation, that our LORD so forcefully has spoken about? Do our actions match our words? It is important for our words and our deeds to match. If not, then there is something seriously wrong with who we claim ourselves to be. Please do not run after silly, temporal and perishable things like health, wealth and progress in life. Possessing them, don’t make us a Christian. Instead, let us seek earnestly and invest all what we have, into the imperishable and eternal treasure – living for God, in the manner, He wants us to live – Like 12:31-34. May the LORD Jesus grant us the grace to be truly His, and the strength, to walk with Him, just as He did. Even so, the LORD help us.