The WWJD Edition
GodWords Newsletter #92
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If you’re old like I am, you probably remember those brightly-colored fabric bracelets with WWJD written on them. That stands for “What Would Jesus Do.” If you’re young, you might not even know this was a thing. The trend ended over 20 years ago.
Behind the slogan is a very good idea:
in every situation, we do well to ask,
“What would Jesus do?”
Jesus isn’t just God in the flesh. He didn’t just die in our place to show how much God loves us. He also taught us how we should live… not by giving advice, but by teaching us how God thinks and setting for us a great example of what that looks like in practice. Jesus is our example. His life and teachings are the pattern we follow.
Of course, we can’t follow His example if we don’t know what He said and did. So: read the gospels. All four of them… Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Learn from Jesus.
There are also some helpful books and songs to help us keep this idea in mind:
In His Steps by Charles Sheldon - this book, written in 1896, is in the top 50 bestsellers of all time. In the book, the Reverend Henry Maxwell is challenged by a homeless man to take seriously the idea that we should imitate Jesus. It’s a great book, worth your time.
The image above is from Cain’s video, titled WWJD. Check it out:
Here’s another from Big Tent Revival. Did you know that every one of their albums was nominated for a Grammy award? They’re one of my favorites, but I didn’t know that. Enjoy their What Would Jesus Do?
My only goal for this week is to encourage you to ask the same question that Jesus’ followers have been asking for 2,000 years. If you do what Jesus would do - as we see it in the New Testament - you’ll be on the right track.
I love you all.
❤️
Sanctification Is a Direction
I get a LOT of emails from Christians who are worried that they’re simply not growing up fast enough. This is a good impulse, but we need to remember that God does not change our hearts all at once.
The Case for the Gospels
Lee Strobel (head of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University) interviews cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace to learn how he uses detective skills to analyze the Bible. (Video: 21:01)
The Biblical Evidence Found at Ninevah
Certain skeptics will have you believe that most of the people and places in the Bible were made up… that it’s not actually historical, but mythical. Again and again, archaeologists - religious and non-religious - confirm that the Bible is accurate. (Video: 29:36)
Does Genesis 1 Contradict Genesis 2?
Which creation story is true… the first one, or the second one? Don’t be confused when you read Genesis 1 and 2. A little homework goes a long way!
Why don’t Christians observe the original Sabbath?
This issue has been a sticking point between sabbatarians and the rest of the Body of Christ for some time… but it shouldn’t be. The Bible is very clear on this subject. Let’s ignore for a moment silly arguments about Constantine, or discussions about the new covenant, and focus on God’s purpose for the original sabbath.
Look for faults with a mirror, not a telescope.
Rescue Story: Zach Williams
A Song of the Year nominee in 2020, Rescue Story is your story and mine. Lyrics and links at Awesome Christian Music.
There I was, empty-handed
Crying out from the pit of my despair
There You were in the shadows
Holding out Your hand, You met me there
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I got a bit stuck in the maze of the conversation about the Sabbath- Tony, I commend you for your patience and for the respect you show to those who persevere in their error. I am glad you are gifted in this way. I would be much less gracious.
I’ve always been a believer in WWJD. It can be a good guideline to give us direction when we’re uncertain what to do or how we should act. However, there is a shortcoming to WWJD. It can often be subjective, and we fall to our own determination, which could, at times, be wrong.
So a few years ago I switched the saying slightly to WDJD (what did Jesus do). If we use this approach it encourages us to remain in the Word daily to better understand just what Jesus DID (versus what He WOULD do). If we could just align our behavior more closely to what Jesus DID, then we, our world, and the cause of Christ, would be in a much better place.