What Would Jesus Do?.... Beyond the Bracelet....
Lately God has been convicting me of how I should respond to different situations. Many times we will respond to something that happens or something that is said in a sinful manner, and it is only by the application of the gospel that this can change. The famous phrase, “What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD)”, has been plastered on bracelets and t-shirts and worn proudly by Christians everywhere wanting to be a witness for Christ. Many times though the wearer of such propaganda does not effectively answer the question of what Jesus would actually do in the situation they are facing. If any thought is actually given to what Jesus may actually do the answer is most often found in a subjective perspective by the one asking the question. Gospel truth is seldom applied to such a question, and the person is left to decide for himself or herself, what Jesus may or may not have done.
As Christians though we must come to see that the gospel informs us of how we should respond to every situation life may throw our way. This is because of the way God has already responded on our behalf. From before the foundations of the earth God had prepared a response to the issue of sin. That response was the Cross of Christ. He responds to our sinful rebellion in both a manner that vindicates His holiness, and demonstrates His immeasurable love for the sinner. The cross has two sides to it that we must consider. While Gods love is demonstrated through the cross, His wrath is poured out on the cross. We see this in a scriptural contrast of John 3:16 and Isaiah 53:4-5. This is the gospel in its simplicity, that Christ died for sinners of whom I am foremost (1 Timothy 1:15). In light of the cross, God calls us to respond to every situation in a manner that reflects the truth of the gospel.
Here is a practical example:
I have sinned against somebody, or somebody has sinned against me. The gospel calls me to repent of my sin and go to them to be reconciled. I am also called to forgive them because I have been forgiven much. The gospel tells us that we were once God’s enemies but through the cross we have been reconciled to Him. Believers should be reconciled to one another in the midst of conflict but that is only possible through the cross.
The problem with asking the question of what Jesus would do is that Jesus never had to repent of sin. We on the other hand are commanded to repent. That is why I say scratch the question, “What would Jesus do?” and instead ask yourself “How does the gospel apply?”
As Christians though we must come to see that the gospel informs us of how we should respond to every situation life may throw our way. This is because of the way God has already responded on our behalf. From before the foundations of the earth God had prepared a response to the issue of sin. That response was the Cross of Christ. He responds to our sinful rebellion in both a manner that vindicates His holiness, and demonstrates His immeasurable love for the sinner. The cross has two sides to it that we must consider. While Gods love is demonstrated through the cross, His wrath is poured out on the cross. We see this in a scriptural contrast of John 3:16 and Isaiah 53:4-5. This is the gospel in its simplicity, that Christ died for sinners of whom I am foremost (1 Timothy 1:15). In light of the cross, God calls us to respond to every situation in a manner that reflects the truth of the gospel.
Here is a practical example:
I have sinned against somebody, or somebody has sinned against me. The gospel calls me to repent of my sin and go to them to be reconciled. I am also called to forgive them because I have been forgiven much. The gospel tells us that we were once God’s enemies but through the cross we have been reconciled to Him. Believers should be reconciled to one another in the midst of conflict but that is only possible through the cross.
The problem with asking the question of what Jesus would do is that Jesus never had to repent of sin. We on the other hand are commanded to repent. That is why I say scratch the question, “What would Jesus do?” and instead ask yourself “How does the gospel apply?”
2 comments:
change the picture
Joseph, I liked it too much. Go ahead and knuckle me...c'mon.
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