The “What would Jesus do?” question remains. Every once in a while we can see a bracelet here or a t-shirt there with WWJD on it. It is a reminder for Christians to think about their own actions in terms of how Jesus would handle it, and act accordingly. It came from the sub-title to Charles Sheldon’s book “In His Steps.” More than a hundred years hasn’t changed Sheldon’s question, nor it’s application to our lives.I have another question, though. What did Jesus do? Check out what God told the Israelites to look for in a prophet. How does Jesus stack up against God’s criteria?
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
Did Jesus give signs, do wonders? Did His prophecies come to pass? Most certainly, yes.
Did Jesus tell us to go after other gods? Just as most certainly, no.
Jesus spoke before all men the first, and greatest, commandment, confirmed by He who said I am the LORD thy God (Exodus 20:2a):
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38)
To accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, our Lord and Savior, we must accept the God of Abraham, father of all mankind, creator of all. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
God, who speaks things into existence. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)
The same God who was well pleased. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)
Jesus consistently gave God the glory for His actions and His words. His model prayer closes with a request for our lives and the source of the answer: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13)
Only after checking out what Jesus did do can we ask ourselves the question, “What would Jesus do?” and come close to the answer for our own actions.
By the way, following in His steps as our example is scripturally correct.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)
Greetings Grammy -
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post about the importance of doing what JESUS would do. We are commanded to conform to His image and to have the mind of Christ. Praise the Lord for his precepts and commandments. He always knows best.
Thank you, Grammy, for reminding that we must follow righteousness steadfastly.
Just yesterday, I read this quote, from Tozer (one of my favourite of all time, preachers).
ReplyDelete“The man or woman who is wholly or joyously surrendered to Christ can't make a wrong choice ~ any choice will be the right one.”
I had to read it a few times and think about it... but then I understood it perfectly.
It matches in with WWJD... if we are wholly surrendered to Him, then He will direct every decision we need to make, therefore it won't be the wrong decision.