"Walk The Talk"

The New King James Version Chapter 2

5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Introduction

As the Day of the Lord quickly approaches, it is of utmost importance that we employ the principle found in 2 Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” (Exp. further)

A. Abiding In Christ

A consistent word we will find in the letters that are credited to the Apostle John is “abide”. It is a word that means reside, remain, or stay. Apostle John emphasizes a gradual maturity in our relationship with Jesus in his letters

to know Him- knowledge

to be in Him- fellowship

to abide in Him- constancy

Jesus tells us to abide in Him Jn 15:4–9 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”

The Spirit’s anointing aids us abiding in Christ 1 Jn 2:27 “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

Results of abiding in Christ:

Fruitfulness Jn 15:4–5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Answered prayer Jn 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

B. Christlikeness

The process by which believers are conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ, especially in relation to obedience to and trust in God. Through the Holy Spirit, God fashions believers in the image of His Son.

Christlikeness is the aim of discipleship Lk 6:40 “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”

Christlikeness is demonstrated in humility and service Mt 20:26–28 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

C. Spiritual Vitality

The quality of possessing a living faith, which is commended by Scripture. Vitality means the power to live and grow

Spiritual Vitality Commended 2 Th 1:3 “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,”

The means of developing spiritual vitality - being filled with the Holy Spirit 1 Th 1:5 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

Obstacles to spiritual vitality- a failure to progress beyond basic teachings Heb 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”

The consequences of spiritual vitality

spiritual growth Ga 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

loving others 1 Jn 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

rejoicing in the Lord Ps 5:11 “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.”

spiritual perseverance Heb 6:12 “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”