1 John 2:6 NKJV
"He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
There’s a familiar saying: “Talk is cheap.” It’s easy to say you will do something, but if your actions don’t align with what you’ve confessed, your words lose value.
Similarly, as believers, our goal is to be continually transformed each day by what we read in the Word of God and what we hear that stirs our faith. We have been given the great privilege and honor of being called joint heirs with Christ and children of the King. Yet, at times, we struggle in our walk. We’ve all experienced moments where we talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk. It’s easier to say something than to live it out.
What Does It Mean to Abide in Christ?
To abide in Christ means to remain in Him, to dwell in His presence, and to stay connected to Him in a deep and personal relationship. Jesus explained this in John 15:4-5, where He said:
"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."
Abiding in Christ is not just about believing in Him—it’s about living in Him, drawing from His strength, and depending on Him daily. It means allowing His Word to shape our thoughts, decisions, and actions. It is through this abiding relationship that our faith is strengthened and our lives reflect His character.
The Direct Connection Between Abiding and Walking Out Our Faith
If we say we abide in Christ, it must be evident in how we live. Our faith is not just a belief system—it’s a lifestyle. Walking as Jesus walked means:
Obedience to God's Word – Not just hearing the Word, but living it out in our daily lives (James 1:22).
Demonstrating Love – Loving God and others as Christ commanded (John 13:34-35).
Bearing Spiritual Fruit – Our lives should produce the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, patience, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Trusting in God’s Strength – Recognizing that we cannot walk this path on our own but need the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
One of the things we can appreciate about the Holy Spirit is the loving way He corrects us. He gently reminds us that we can’t just say we love God while refusing to obey Him—especially when it comes to the things we find difficult.
Our flesh doesn’t mind us confessing our love for God or expressing our desire to serve Him. But the moment we choose to align our words with action, our flesh resists. It fights against our obedience to God’s instructions.
The Word urges us not to be hearers only, but doers as well. We are encouraged to walk out our faith boldly, knowing that faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
If we truly believe we abide in God, then our actions must reflect a life that honors Him.
Walking this journey isn’t something we do alone. The Holy Spirit is with us every step of the way, teaching us how to walk and be a reflection of His light in the world. We cannot claim to abide in Him if our lives don’t demonstrate transformation. Walking with Jesus changes us. The more we follow His example, the more we become imitators of the One who lived a sacrificial life, caring for others.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in a way that brings glory to God. Put your faith to the test and challenge yourself to walk in full obedience to Him.
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