.  .  .  WALK EVEN AS HE WALKED
 
By Charles H. Spurgeon
 

'So to walk even as He walked.'          -- John 2:6
 
     Why should Christians imitate Christ?  They should do it for their own sakes.
If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul -- if they would escape the sickness
of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model.

     For their own happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined;
if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they  would be lifted
up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as He walked.
There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed,
as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions.

      It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with
Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be the
sons of God.   Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy.

     Next, for religion's sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast
been sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so
dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair
hand of Godliness? The professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man
who with pretences, enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing,
worries the flock more than the lion outside.

     There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professors injure
the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ's
own sake, imitate His example.

      Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is His name precious to thee? Is His cause dear
to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it thy desire
that He should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to Him?

      If so, imitate Jesus; be an 'epistle of Christ, known and read of all men.'
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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.