Two Lenses, One Life: Know, Reckon, Yield, Walk and Present, Depend, Walk

Two pathways, one destination: Christ as life. Whether we say Know • Reckon • Yield • Walk, or Present • Depend • Walk, both lead us into the same Spirit-led reality of abiding in Him."

A biblical bridge between Romans 6 and John 15 for living the exchanged life

Why this matters

Christians may hear two different “rules of life” for victory over sin and real transformation:

  • Know • Reckon • Yield • Walk: rooted in Romans 6:1–14, popularized by Watchman Nee.

  • Present • Depend • Walk: a simple daily rhythm drawing from Romans 6, John 15, and Galatians 5.

These are not rivals. They emphasize different entry points into the same Christ-as-Life reality. Below is a concise exegesis of each, followed by a bridge that shows how they fit together.

Part 1: Romans 6 and Know • Reckon • Yield • Walk

1) Know (what God has already done): Rom 6:3–10

Paul begins with baptism-union: we were baptized into Christ Jesus, into His death, and raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Our old self was crucified with Him so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Exegesis note: “Know” translates Paul’s insistence on grasping God’s facts (vv. 3, 6, 9). This is not willpower; it’s illumination: who you now are in Christ.

2) Reckon (count it true for you): Rom 6:11

Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Exegesis note: “Reckon” (logizesthe) is faith’s accounting: you align your trust with what God has said is so. This isn’t pretending; it’s choosing God’s verdict over fluctuating feelings.

3) Yield (present yourself and your members): Rom 6:12–13

“Do not let sin reign… present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness.”
Exegesis note: The verb “present” (paristēmi) is concrete. You bring your body (mind, mouth, hands, time) under Christ’s claim. Romans 12:1 develops this as whole-self worship.

4) Walk (practice your new life): Rom 6:4

“…so that we too might walk in newness of life.”
Exegesis note: The indicative (what God has done) grounds the imperative (how we walk). Obedience is fruit of grace (Rom 6:14; Eph 2:8–10), not currency that buys it.

Summary: Romans 6 gives the doctrinal staircase: God’s accomplished fact → faith’s reckoning → decisive presentation → lived obedience.

Part 2: John 15 / Galatians 5 and Present • Depend • Walk

1) Present (Here I am, Yours): Rom 6:13; 12:1

This repeats Romans 6 in daily language: “Lord, my mind, mouth, hands, schedule—Yours.” It’s whole-person availability to God.

2) Depend (abide; keep in step): John 15:4–5; Gal 5:16, 25

Abide in Me… apart from Me you can do nothing.” “Walk by the Spirit” and “keep in step with the Spirit.”
Exegesis note: Abiding is a continuing posture of reliance on Christ’s indwelling life (Rom 8:9–11; Col 1:27). Dependence is not passivity; it is responsive trust.

3) Walk (the next step of love): Gal 5:6, 22–23; Matt 22:37–39

The Spirit bears one fruit with many facets, love, joy, peace… and love fulfills the law (Rom 13:8–10).
Exegesis note: The “walk” is concrete, relational obedience that flows from union: love does what He asks because we belong to Him (John 14:15; 15:9–12).

Summary: Present • Depend • Walk is the relational rhythm: make yourself available, rely on Jesus’ life, take the next step of Spirit-shaped love.

Part 3: The Bridge: how the frameworks complete each other

Same gospel shape, different doors

  • Romans 6 answers, “What has God done to sin’s mastery and to my identity?” → Know • Reckon • Yield • Walk.

  • John 15 / Gal 5 answers, “How do I live this moment-by-moment?” → Present • Depend • Walk.

A unified flow (foundation → practice)

  1. Know (Rom 6 facts)

  2. Reckon (faith alignment)

  3. Yield/Present (Rom 6:13 / Rom 12:1)

  4. Depend (John 15; Gal 5)

  5. Walk (love in action)

Put simply: Know & Reckon are the foundation; Present & Depend are the flow; Walk is the fruit.

Why the bridge matters pastorally

  • It prevents moralism: “Present/Walk” without “Know/Reckon” becomes self-powered effort.

  • It prevents passivity: “Know/Reckon” without “Present/Depend/Walk” becomes theory without practice.

  • It keeps Christ central: victory is given (1 Cor 15:57), expressed as we abide, not achieved by grind.

Worked example (anger)

  • Know: My old self was crucified with Christ; sin’s dominion is broken (Rom 6:6, 14).

  • Reckon: I count myself dead to sinful anger, alive to God in Christ (Rom 6:11).

  • Present: “Lord, my tongue and timing are Yours” (Rom 6:13).

  • Depend: “Apart from You I can do nothing; I abide in Your love” (John 15:5, 9).

  • Walk: I choose the next truthful, patient, restorative step—slow to speak, quick to hear (Gal 5:22–23; Jas 1:19–20; Eph 4:29–32).

Common questions

Isn’t this just trying harder with nicer words?
No. The order is everything: gift before growth (Col 2:6). We work out because God works in (Phil 2:12–13). Obedience is fruit, not payment.

Where does repentance fit?
Repentance is both commanded and granted (Acts 17:30; 2 Tim 2:25). Practically, it looks like: Know/Reckon the truth, Present what you’ve held back, Depend afresh, then Walk in the light (1 John 1:9; Rom 13:14).

What about slow seasons?
Pruning and winter happen (John 15:2, 11; Heb 12:11; Ps 1). Roots deepen before fruit shows. Stay with the Vine; keep the rhythm.

A one-paragraph rule of life

Abide in Christ by presenting yourself to God, depending on His Spirit, and walking in the next step of love—because in Christ you know what God has done, you reckon it true for you, you yield/present your whole self, and you walk in the newness of life He supplies.

A simple daily prayer

“Lord Jesus, I know You united me with Yourself in Your death and resurrection. I reckon myself dead to sin and alive to God in You. I present my mind, mouth, hands, and schedule to You. I depend on Your indwelling life—apart from You I can do nothing. Lead my walk today in truthful, patient, restorative love. Amen.”

Quick reference

  • Foundation (Romans 6): Know → Reckon → Yield → Walk

  • Flow (John 15 / Gal 5): Present → Depend → Walk

  • Guardrails: Not moralism, not passivity, not comparison.

  • Confession to carry: “Lord Jesus, live Your life in me and through me in this moment.”

Previous
Previous

Hidden With Jesus, Standing Free

Next
Next

Beholding, Then Becoming