Flowery talking—without strict walking

(Arthur Pink, "Christ our Exemplar")

"Leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

"Whoever claims to live in Him—must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

If all professors forfeit their claim to a saving interest in Christ, who do not endeavor to sincerely and earnestly imitate Jesus in the holiness of His life—then how small a number of real Christians are there in the world! If flowery talking—without strict walking; if common profession—without holy practice; if Church membership—without denying self and treading the Narrow Way—were sufficient to constitute a Christian—then a large percentage of earth's population would be entitled to that name.

But if Christ owns none but those who follow the example that He has left—then His flock is indeed a little one. The vast majority of those who claim to be Christians have a name to live—but are dead (Rev. 3:1), being such as walk after the flesh, following the course of this world and yielding their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (Romans 6:13). The demands of Christ are too rigid for them—they prefer the Broad Road where the majority are found.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14