Four words defined by the acronym WWJD. Four letters that have been written on signs and walls, rocks and overpasses, wrist bands and tags, bracelets, and jewelry worn by Christians as a reminder for them to stop and consider what Jesus would do if He were put in that situation, and then they are to remember to respond the same way. That is what is commonly taught. But, unless you know how Jesus knew what to do, you will never know What Would Jesus Do so you could do the same thing yourself.
I read a book many years ago called In His Steps. It is a fictional story of a group of people who gathered at a weekly bible study, and one day challenged themselves to live every day for a week asking themselves in every situation "what would Jesus do?" and then following that answer no matter what the consequences. It is kind of the original WWJD scenario played out. That is what is commonly taught.
Let me put it this way.... what is NOT commonly taught is that the Adamic man asks WWJD! The religious man asks WWJD! The imitator asks WWJD! The natural man asks WWJD. The carnal man asks WWJD. These are not different men, they are different names for the same man. The problem is, that there is no way for that man to come up with a correct answer! "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7 The carnal man may ask WWJD, but he can never know, he will only respond with whatever his selfish, sinful, guilty mind can imagine. The natural man does not want to please God! He wants to please himself, by showing his ability to live a religious life apart from God's interference.
He may do what is generous. He may do what is kind. He may do that which is brave, or kind or gentle or loving, or self sacrifical but that is no guarantee that is what Jesus would do. And it is more likely it is not since there is no way he can know while he is at emnity with God.
What is NOT commonly taught is that our Christian walk is not to be a result of our trying to figure out what Jesus would do by a process of what we think is the best course of action, and then do that. Our Christian walk is supposed to be a result of our nature so changing because of His life being lived through us, that we don't have to ask what Jesus would do, but rather we would just do it naturally! THAT is the difference!
What is not commonly taught is the difference that Life of Jesus makes within the New Creation man! Most Christians never learn what actually took place when they prayed to let Jesus come into their heart, that is why they live like they are the ones defeated; not the enemy. Most Christians are don't understand that while things may have appeared to remain no different than 5 minutes before they prayed, the fact is that a mighty miracle took place in that moment! The Apostle Paul says it this way "all old things are passed away, and behold ALL things become new! 2 Cor. 5:17
The New Creation man does not need to ask WWJD. Why not? Because Jesus said: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13
Okay, so we all want to live a life that is pleasing to God. We all want to do the right thing. We all want to say the right thing at the right time. We all would like to know how to know what to do..... Here is the secret... it is to do the same thing that Jesus did so that He knew what to do. And what is that?
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 8:28,29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
That is it right there! That is the secret to ALWAYS know what to do the same as Jesus knew what to say and what to do. Only say those things you HEAR the Father say, and only DO those things you SEE the Father do.
Oh what? It is not that easy? I never said it was easy. Was the life of Jesus easy? No, of course not, but we think we should have it easier than He did? Jesus often spent the whole night in prayer. When was the last time we did? Not to see His hand, but to seek His face?
Don't worry, just because I know the secret; just because I know what to do, does not mean that I follow His example all of the time, and only speak and do what I hear and see the Father say and do. But knowing what the secret is does for the most part keep me from doing what is commonly taught, and allow me to do what is uncommonly taught in a particular situation.... WWJD?
And sometimes; (far fewer times than I would like) I will "hear" the Father say something, and then I will say it, and since He only speaks words of Life, then when those words are spoken, they come to pass! And sometimes; (in my spirit) I will "see" what to do, and then I will do it, and that which gets done comes to pass.
We do have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. We CAN know what to do. I Cor.2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." Now you know, next time you are wondering WWJD? How You Can Know!
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