Living in the Garden of Grace: Walking as Jesus Walked
“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” —1 John 2:6
Walking in His Footsteps
To abide in Christ is not merely to say we are His children but to live in the reality of that relationship. The Apostle John makes it clear: those who claim fellowship with God must walk as Jesus walked. This is not a call to imitate Him in our own strength but an invitation to live as He did—fully dependent on the Father.
Jesus Himself modeled this way of life in His earthly ministry, as recorded in John’s Gospel. His dependence on the Father was absolute:
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” —John 14:10
Time and again, Jesus emphasized this truth:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” —John 5:19
Total Dependence on the Father
These statements from Jesus challenge us. If the Son of God lived in total dependence on the Father, how much more should we? Yet, this dependence is not burdensome—it is the essence of grace. To walk as Jesus walked is to live by grace, drawing from the Father’s life and wisdom moment by moment.
Jesus described this life of dependence in His invitation to take His yoke upon us:
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” —Matthew 11:29
In this yoke, we are united with Christ, learning from Him what it means to be “totally available to” and “totally dependent on” the Father.
Walking in Grace
Walking as Jesus walked means more than outwardly mimicking His actions; it means living in the same Spirit-led, grace-filled relationship with the Father. It’s not about striving but about surrendering, trusting, and allowing His life to flow through us.
Reflect & Respond
In what areas of your life are you trying to walk in your own strength rather than in dependence on the Father?
How can you step into the yoke with Jesus and learn to live by grace?
Pray This
“Father, thank You for the life of Your Son, who showed us what it means to walk in total dependence on You. I confess the times I have tried to live the Christian life in my own strength. Teach me to abide in Christ, to walk as He walked, and to trust Your grace to lead and sustain me. May I live in full availability to You, drawing from Your strength, wisdom, and love. Amen.”
A Final Thought
Walking as Jesus walked is not about achieving perfection in our own power; it’s about yielding to the One who is perfect. As we live in dependence on the Father, His grace transforms us and empowers us to reflect the life of Christ. This is the beauty of walking in grace—Christ living His life through us, just as He depended on the Father.