You Ought To

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)

The commercial featured a dad sitting with his young son under a tree. The boy glanced at his dad and mimicked his moves as he leaned back on the tree and crossed his legs. The dad took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and set the package down on the ground. The boy looked at his dad, then reached over and picked up the cigarettes, looking at them in his hand. That message could apply to inappropriate things we see, hear, participate in, and anything harmful or unhealthy for our well-being. We influence others.

If you are God’s child, you ought to walk as Jesus walked—act the way He did. We decide daily whether to follow Jesus’ example and what kind of example we are to people around us. Godly influences make a difference in everyone’s life, but especially in shaping the lives of children; they look for life patterns—Christ-following parents or someone trustworthy should be that influence. 

What a joy to see our children surrender to God’s call and watch them walking in the steps of Jesus, faithfully serving our Lord. What a blessing that even as adults following Jesus, they continue looking to us as life patterns. No matter our age, godly influences are essential to our spiritual well-being. In whose steps are you walking today? We ought to imitate Jesus, walk as He did, devoted and obedient to His Father every day. Someone is always watching.