The last song I heard on the radio as I pulled into the parking garage this morning was “A Little More Like Jesus” by Zach Williams. 

Oh, I have days I lose the fight
Try my best but just don’t get it right
Where I talk a talk that I don’t walk
And miss the moments right before my eyes

Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped
Somebody with a hand that I could have held
When I just can’t see past myself
Lord, help me be

A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me

God’s Word says, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 Jn 2:3-6)

I fail at this every single day. “Keeping” God’s Word is another reference to obedience. According to John, God’s love is perfected in those who obey the Word of God. The term “perfected” does not refer to 100% flawless living, but rather to maturity. No one is perfect (Rom 3:10), but all believers are called to growth and maturity; this is a process of perfection. While this is expected, it’s not guaranteed.  Those who truly know Christ grow to live like Christ. Their actions give evidence of their relationship.

The rubber meets the road in verse 6: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked”. In the previous chapter John stated that even believers can and do sin. When a Christian sins, they are to confess to God, who will forgive (1 Jn 1:9). Those who say “I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”. While such people can have saving faith, there is no way for them to produce spiritual fruit (John 15:4). 

Lord, help me to put off my corrupt self and be renewed in the spirit of my mind, and put on the new man which You created within me in Your true righteousness and holiness. Thank You for leading me to these Scriptures today, and Your continued leading me because Lord, I can do nothing for Your kingdom without You.

Yeah, there’s no denying I have changed
‘Cause I’ve been saved from who I used to be
But even at my best, I must confess
I still need help to see the way You see

Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped
Somebody with a hand that I could have held
When I just can’t see past myself
Lord, help me be

A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me