1 John 2:6 He that said he stays in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. To "walk as Christ" walked is essential to our "abiding in God"; not merely "being in God," as it is put in the previous verse, but being in Him permanently. It is therefore the test of our truth when we "say that we abide in God"; it is the very means by which we abide in Him. I. IT IS SOMETIMES SAID OF CHRIST SIMPLY THAT HE WALKED, WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DEFINE OR QUALIFY THE EXPRESSION (John 7:1; Luke 13:33; John 12:9, 10). Jesus then walked. His life was a walk. The idea of earnestness, of definiteness of purpose, of decision and progress, is thus suggested. Now, "he that saith he abideth in God, ought himself also so to walk even as Jesus walked." It was as always "abiding in God" that He "walked." While His feet were busy walking, His soul was resting in God. Outward movement, inward repose; the whole man Christ Jesus — mind, spirit, heart, all bent upon the road; and yet ever, at the same time, the whole man Christ Jesus dwelling in the Father's bosom, as calmly as in that unbroken eternity, ere He became man, He had been wont to dwell there: so he walked, abiding in God. So you also ought to walk even as He walked, "abiding in God." But some one may say, Is not this too high an ideal? Is it not the setting up of an inimitable model? Not so. For, first, He fully shares with us whatever disadvantage as regards His walking, may be implied in His being a son of man. And, secondly, He would have us fully to share with Him whatever advantage there is in His being the Son of God. For both reasons our life may be as much and as truly a walk as His was. II. LET SOME PARTICULARS ABOUT THIS WALK BE NOTICED. 1. If we say that "we abide in God," we ought to walk as seeing God in all things and all things in God; for so Christ walked. 2. "He that saith he abideth in God" ought to walk as one subordinating himself always in all things to God, submitting himself to God, committing himself to God. 3. "He that saith he abideth in God" ought to walk in love. If we abide in God, we abide in the great source and fountain of love — in the infinite ocean of pure and perfect benevolence. 4. "He that saith he abideth in God" ought, in a word, to walk in unity with God, as being of one mind with God and of one heart. So Jesus walked. (R. S. Candlish, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.WEB: he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked. |
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