Christ-Likeness – Part III

“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” Psalm 116:9

The last time we talked about the fact that if we want to be like Christ we need to follow Him, be like Him and walk like Him.  The Christian walk is a journey and we have to walk daily with the Lord.  Ladies and gentlemen, the Christian’s walk – his daily conduct is more important than the Christian talk. It is the Christian walk that authenticates his talk. I understand that the world desperately needs to hear our testimony, but before we can effectively talk to the world, they have to see our walk with Him.  Noah walked with God, Abraham was commanded to walk before God and be blameless, Enoch walked with God and was not.

The question is how do we walk with Him? Let’s see what Paul has to say in Ephesians Chapter 5.

To walk with Him, we have to:

1. Walk in love.  Ephesians 5:2

Our Lord commanded us to relate to each other in terms of love. Without love it is impossible to prove that we have a vital relationship with Christ. He mentioned to His disciples that the only way folks will know they are his followers is when they love one another.

2.  Walk as children of Light.  Ephesians 5:8

We are to shine as light in a dark world so people can see the way to God through us. Someone said “The glow of cigarette on a dark night is visible three-fourths of a mile. The glare of a match can be seen for a mile. Light from a good flashlight is visible for one and a half miles. Light from a 100-watt lamp can be seen for twelve and a half miles.  The headlights from you car are visible for twenty miles on a clear night”. Can you then imagine how much our light can shine in the dark world? Ladies and gentlemen, as Christians, our influence can light the whole world!!!

Light dispels darkness; we are to love in such a way that others might see Christ in our lives. Light also warns travelers of dangerous obstacles along the road. The Christian’s influence should serve as a warning sign for all to observe, that there is a better way to live. An elderly blind man was seen carrying a lantern on a dark night. “Since you can’t see, why are you carrying a lantern on a dark night?” asked an interested friend. “I carry a lantern at night,” he said “so that others won’t stumble over me.”

Ladies and gentlemen, light make no noise. Lighthouses sound no drums. They just shine; shine for your King.

3.  Walk in wisdom.  Ephesians 5:15-16

Walking in wisdom means to live humbly and creatively in the home, in our neighborhoods, in the office and in every facet of our relationships with humanity.

4.  Accept His attitude.  Ephesians 5:1-2

Copy Christ’s attitude towards humanity; His attitude towards God, towards sin and judgment and accept his perspective as our perspective.

5.  Identify with His ambitions. Ephesians 5:20

He came to do His father’s will in all things. He came to serve the needs of others rather than himself. He made known God’s love to all men without discrimination.  He loved God supremely, loved people sacrificially, steadfastly and sincerely.

I hope as you walk this journey, you will be Christ-like and folks will know you are a Christian without you necessarily telling them.

I will leave you all for now, if we don’t meet again, I will see you at the dinner table in Papa’s house.

Rev. Kingsley Ayesu.