The Example

Do we walk the walk or just talk the talk?

Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, "I have come to know him," but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, "I abide in him," ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, "I am in the light," while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness. - 1 John 2:3-11

John wants us to see that there is more to following Jesus than quoting scripture and verse.

We can be very convincing when we tell others about Jesus, but what example are we showing them in how we live?

Do we truly walk in the light, or do we pretend to be a beacon, so that others think we are dedicated followers?

I guess we could believe we are living examples of Christ, saying all the right things, and maybe even going through the motions, but what lies beneath?

Are we acting out of love for our neighbor, or is something else motivating us to put on the act of being followers?

the warning John gives us is this.  Soon, everything will be revealed, and the world will come to see us as we truly are.  The light of Christ will expose those who are just pretending, and reveal those who are true examples of God's love and grace.

If we act as though our intentions are easily seen by all, maybe we will become what we profess to be.

More to come...