Don't ask yourself "WWJD?"
"WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?" I'm sure you've seen it on a t-shirt, as a bumper sticker, or on a coffee mug.
When I first heard this as a kid, I thought it was a neat idea. It's a good question for Christians to ask ourselves as we tackle life's small daily decisions and as we approach the big ones. In any situation, what would Jesus do? As Christians, our lives are to emulate that of Christ's, as we are called to be his disciples. Stepping back and pondering what our savior would do is a good reminder to look to Jesus, whose behavior was always perfect, always righteous, and always good, and try to do as he would.
But here's the thing. I don't think WWJD, if used too often for too many situations, is entirely biblical.
Wait, hear me out before you think I'm a heretic.
Jesus was, undoubtedly, a unique man. That's because he was fully God and fully man; the word made flesh that came and dwelt among us (John 1). He was the first (and last) person to live a morally upright life, loving God and neighbor every second of every day. He lived the life we should've lived and died the death we should've died, taking the punishment we deserved so that we might stand before God as blameless.
He certainly raised the bar for what we thought God expects of us, showing us that even if we don't actually kill someone, hating them in our heart makes us as guilty as if we had murdered them, and lusting makes us an adulterer. He further revealed the heart of God and also the heart of man.
But even still, Jesus has not called us to be Jesus. He has called us to live for him, but not to be him. There are things that Jesus did--and didn't do-- that we are not called to imitate.
For example, as you consider getting married, you may not want to ask, "WWJD?" When it comes to marriage, Christ had a unique role that we are not called to follow. Jesus never got married. Spiritually, he was and is one flesh with God's church, that is, the people of God (hence he's called the "bridegroom" and the church "the bride of Christ"). But physically Christ was not married. But does that mean it is a sin to be married, since Jesus didn't do it? Certainly not. Marriage is explained several times in the Bible, always in a beautiful light. The Apostle Paul gives instructions for marriage and reveals that physical marriage on earth is a reflection of the greater marriage in heaven (Ephesians 5, Colossians 3).
Jesus probably wouldn't play computer or video games, or browse facebook either. I'm sure he would rather be reading or praying or fasting. But should we guilt trip ourselves every time we play a video game, or get on the computer, because we're not reading and praying at that time? Certainly it could be a time for us to examine how we are spending our time, and maybe you should be praying and reading instead of getting on the computer right now. But as a principle, we shouldn't throw Mario Kart Double Dash out the window in the name of all that is good and holy.
Would Christ eat the typical American diet? Probably not. Christ would've treated his body like a temple at all times, and the American diet easily falls short of that mark. But does that mean we are sinning when we sit down to enjoy our meal at Wendy's? Good news: no! We can eat anything we want, though Paul does remind us to recognize that though it is permissible, it may not be beneficial. We are still called to do our best with all discernment and wisdom, even in terms of food and drink, but we are no less of a Christian if we cannot eat perfectly healthy at all times.
The Bible has instructions for God's people, and His divine power "has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3). We have all we need in God's word and through the power of the Holy Spirit to live a godly life. We are not called to be Christ, but to trust Christ.
So when it comes to our life, we don't have to ask what Jesus would do, but rather, "What has Jesus done?" He has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He has washed us clean and given us a new heart and a new spirit. We are now able to enjoy and love the God that we once hated and ignored. His Spirit enables us to fulfill the two greatest commandments: to love God and love neighbor. Although we live in a fallen world still, we can now redeem life's daily activities and do them for the glory of God.
When I go everyday to check the mail, I have a long walk down our gravel driveway. There's a small creek running along one side and a plethora of trees lining either side. It's a good walk to be a driveway; probably 1/5 of a mile. It's a small oasis; physically, my daily exercise and spiritually, my daily bread. I admire the beauty of God's creation around me and thank him for it, taking that time to talk with and thank him. I'm just enjoying him. God created us for that purpose. John Piper has made famous the quote found in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever."
You can redeem your life's activities and hobbies and do them for Christ's name and glory. I am free to potty train my son to the glory of God. I am free to buy him ice cream and know that God has blessed our time together. And yes, I am even free to shop for home decor, even if Jesus would never do so himself.
This is of course not a ticket to say we should never read or pray but instead should waste our lives on useless activities that bring no spiritual growth. We should absolutely be reading our Bibles, and praying, and studying, and evangelizing, and seeking to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. If we're not doing these things, the Bible tells us to examine our hearts because we may not be in Him. But do we have to be doing these outward acts 100% of the time in order to be a Christian? We tend to trample people's souls when we demand they read and pray all day. And for any one who is in Christ, we will read. We will pray. We will grow. We will evangelize. It simply cannot be stopped. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Christian's heart is changed and life transformed by the power of the Gospel and we will seek to know him more. We don't have to rely on works --reading, praying, etc--to gain entrance into heaven or to earn approval from God, but rather we know that works are an outward reflection of the inward condition. We are approved and we are free.
This is the beauty of the Christian life. Not, what would Jesus do? But rather, what has Jesus done? What a burden lifted off our shoulders! Now go and enjoy him. :)
