In the New Testament there are many metaphors that are used as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison.” The apostle John in his three letters (1st, 2nd and 3rd John) uses the word “walk” (and its different forms) more frequently than any other writer in the New Testament, as a metaphor for the way a person lives, or referring to their lifestyle or the direction of life a person chooses to live. A good example is found in, 2 John 4-6, John is writing to a mother to whom he opens his letter calling her, “chosen lady” and also to her children. “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”
In 2 John 4-6 there are three ways that John uses the word walk as a metaphor. In verse four he commends this Christian woman that “some” of her children were “walking” or living in the truth. It is important to note the John did not mention the others who were not “walking” or living in the truth. In verse six John uses the word “walk” twice, both times referring to how we are to live.
In 1 John 2:6 John again metaphorically uses the word “walk” referring to the way Christians should live. But before we specifically take a look at verse six, we need to look at some important points of the context, 1 John 2:3-6. “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
In this portion of Scripture, as with the previous, John in the context of the paragraph he mentions in verse three, the importance for Christians to “obey his (Jesus’) commands”. In verse four he even mentions that a person “is a liar, and the truth is not in him” if they do not obey Jesus’ commands. Today the sad reality is, today some people would accuse the apostle John of being judgmental and quote Matthew 7:1, taking the verse out of its context and remind John “Do not judge, or you too will be judged”.
Another important point to notice about this portion of Scripture is John’s use of the term “in him”. In verse four John uses “in him” in a negative way referring to someone who thinks they are a Christian but does not obey Jesus’ commands. In the first half of verse five John uses the term “in him” in a positive way, referring to the amazing spiritual result in a Christian’s life, when a Christian “obeys his (Jesus’) word”. In the second half of verse five is the third time John uses the term “in him”. What is interesting here is that it seems John is answering the question, “what does it mean for a Christian to be “in him” (or in Jesus)?” John then states or answers, “This is how we know we are in him:”
In verse six John answers the assumed question of verse five. “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
Being “in him” or in Jesus is not only because we as Christians are obedient to His Word (verses 3-4), but being “in him” also involves “to live in him” or the way we live. Someone can easily say, “I love Jesus”, “Whoever claims to live in him”, but if they are not living in obedience to Jesus’ Word, as John says in verse four, this person, “…is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” It is easy to judge someone who says “I know him,” but does not do what he commands…” as a liar or as a hypocrite, but there must be evidence or facts to support this accusation. John tells us very clearly and states what that evidence is. Verse six, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” “…walk as Jesus did” is the proof or evidence that needs to be applied to a Christian who says that they “live in him”, which means they love Jesus and obey His Word, they must live or “walk as Jesus did.” A Christian’s walk or life or the way they live which are a reflection of the life style choices they make.
This is what the Fire Bible commentary says about 1 John 2:6, “walk as Jesus did”. “Following Jesus’ example is not meant to be optional for Christians; it is to be a way of life that boldly identifies with Christ and reflects his character. This is not entirely possible without spending time in God’s Word because that is the one place where we actually see what Jesus would do. By studying God’s Word for ourselves and praying that God would help us apply it to our lives, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide us in Jesus’ steps and develop his character in us.”
In the past, as a immature Christian, when I would read the apostle John’s words, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk (live) as Jesus did.”, a sarcastic thought would come to my mind. “It is easy for the apostle John to know how Jesus walked or lived because he spent over three years living with the guy.”
How can we know or find out how Jesus lived so we can “walk“ or live “as Jesus did”? John answers this question very clearly in verse three, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” Through obedience or submission to His Word, I come to know Him. Also in verse five, “But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.” Through my obedience or submission to His Word, my relationship with Him and my love with Him are progressively made more complete or grow.
If I am to ever find out how Jesus walked, I need to know God’s Word and the commands that are found in His Word. The more I know, submit and obey His Word, the more I am going to walk as Jesus did.
Of course prayer and Christian fellowship are other important aspects to our walking or living as Jesus did of which we will look at that subject in the future.
Pastor John
