“This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:5b-6).
The measuring stick for how one is progressing in their spiritual journey is not based on one’s own feelings or assimilating to the standards of other believers. It is based on, “Am I living as Jesus did?” The standard is simple. The journey is not.
Living as Jesus did does not mean moving to Israel, wearing a robe and sandals, walking everywhere, and not having a place to lay your head. What it does mean is to walk in obedience to the Word and Spirit of God. John states this earlier in the chapter. “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands” (1 John 2:3). It also means to partner with the Holy Spirit in developing the character of Christ and adopting His priorities in your life.
Obedience is not optional. John makes that very clear. “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person” (1 John 2:4). Excusing, minimizing, ignoring, or rationalizing away sin is not acceptable and is very dangerous. In a sense, we put Jesus back on the cross when we knowingly and willingly sin.
The good news is God has given us His Spirit to do the work of sanctification in our lives. This is not something we can do in our own strength. It is the Holy Spirit who restores and informs our conscience when we are straying from the life of obedience. It is the Holy Spirit, in conjunction with the Word of God, who empowers us to overcome any temptation that confronts us. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of Jesus’ priorities. It is the Holy Spirit who cultivates the character of Jesus in us.
HOLY SPIRIT, HAVE YOUR WAY IN MY LIFE TODAY!