"Walking As He Walked" - Pt. 1

  John speaks that the one who abides in Jesus "ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." (I John 2:6) Peter speaks that Christ having suffered for us "leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps." (I Peter 2:21) How do we achieve this? How do walk and follow in His steps?

It begins with one thing. You have to know you're saved! I'm not talking arrogance or laying claim to something because that's the right thing to say. I'm speaking about salvation from our sins and believing it has happened. Salvation brings life from God. From being dead in our sins to the life of God.

 
Too many in Christ Jesus are drowning in their guilt. Guilt haunts them. Many try to defeat the guilt through many different means and drugs are one of those. People avoid certain situations because of screaming guilt in their conscience. Shame, emotional trauma, and health issues can be traced to guilt in the lives of many who profess Christ as their Lord. Esteem is deeply affected by guilt. Take some time and read Genesis 3, and you will see all these things mentioned in the guilt of Adam and Eve. How do we get rid of it? People want to know. Growing up guilt was piled on by preachers to control people and responses. Parents use guilt to control their children and children their parents. Guilt is used in work and relationships. "If you love me you would..." It's a powerful tool for destruction and control. I had a local psychiatrist tell me that guilt made her boatloads of money.
  

   We come to Romans 8:1, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST JESUS! What part do we not believe? Yet we have many using guilt to get control or get what they want. Preachers, elders, and even members rake brethren over the coals for not helping or condemning for not giving. How do we overcome?
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14) The blood of Jesus is to cleanse the conscience. The blood of Jesus is what cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness. The blood of Jesus is the faithfulness of God to forgive us from all our sins. The blood of Jesus is the only place one can find complete freedom from ALL sins we have ever committed. Sins in our past and for our future. (I John 1:9) Every single act, no matter how great, how disturbing, or how hideous, in the sight of man, no sin is beyond complete cleansing by the blood of Jesus. That blood is to be applied to our conscience.

   The cleansing blood of Jesus not only is to cleanse our conscience but it brought us before a covenant God. "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12) That's the covenant of God. If God speaks He remembers them no more under the covenant we made with Him through Jesus and we have been washed by His blood to cleanse our conscience, why do many still live in guilt? It must be a trust issue. That's not piling on more guilt. That is to help us realize we don't trust in the blood of Christ or find a settling in under the covenant of God. I can remember many of my failures, but to know God doesn't see them at all, that is powerful.  If someone wants to remind me of my guilt, it's alright, as Jesus is aware I failed and His blood flows over me. I don't have to defend myself. It's all God. It's all Jesus.

  If we are going to "walk as He walked" we need to know we have the relationship of holiness and forgiveness. We have to possess His life. We have to know we have been saved. What holds you back from His forgiveness? Why can't we embrace His loving life in our place? What are you celebrating as you observe "the blood of the covenant" when you take the Supper? Enjoy your relationship!! Praise God for the gift of Jesus!! Throw away your crutches that keep you moving each day and embrace the Lord Jesus Christ!