In the 1990s, many wore bracelets reading, “WWJD”—what would Jesus do? Sometimes that question comes back to my mind and I wonder, what happened to that fad? (Oh, maybe it was a “fad!”) My bracelet had a black leather band with a silver metal piece/pendant—WWJD. It served as a good check, a good reminder for me.
I know that among the readers of this blog, there are believers in Jesus, and there are those who are not. Of course, there are many who are some where in between. They have much respect for Jesus, but not as God the Son. My Muslim friend regards Jesus as a good prophet, definitely worth honoring. A Buddhist woman at work told me that she really doesn’t know who she prays to; she went on to say, maybe it includes Jesus. Plenty of others do not recognize Him as their personal Savior, but they think Jesus taught really good things, and He was very good and compassionate.
No matter where you are at with Jesus, do you think it would benefit society, and perhaps yourself personally, to again bring out the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” Speak for yourself, Fred. Okay, “I personally think it would benefit society and me personally.” Maybe on some of the following you will agree that you don’t much ask, what would Jesus do?
- what/who especially influences your moral views, as well as your political views which you might think are closely tied to your moral views?
- what/who especially guides your choices in life—about your money, about your job, about your retirement, about your vocation in life?
In the next couple of posts, I will raise a few political issues—Climate Change, Immigration, and DACA/Dreamers. I will not take a hard stance one way or other. Hopefully, we are challenged to really raise the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” Why do this? Because my theme—“spiritual canyons exist, on many fronts…”—implies that there is a lot of division, and I think it often comes from developing views, whether we are not believers or are believers, that do not truly consider a question like, “WWJD?”
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(BONUS ADDITION, if interested: Many of you had helpful comments and replies, both on Facebook and here, to the last 2 posts. Thanks. I am copying and pasting some from Joel Fredrikson’s FB comment (complete comment along with others found here if interested–https://www.facebook.com/PeaceWithinReach/posts/429483797508115 ) which I think relates to the above post about WWJD: “I believe Christianity is true, because when I put Jesus’ teachings into action, setting aside my ego in order to serve even my enemies, I find that through this death to myself life is brought into the world. I also think Jesus’ claim to be the truth and the only way to the Father is actually a life-giving statement. Most of the time when we identify ourselves with a certain group or movement of people we automatically draw our lines in the sand to make a distinction between “us” and “them” and we naturally identify our enemies. Ironically when we swear allegiance to Jesus and his kingdom, what sets us apart is that he teaches us there IS NO line in the sand, and that those who do not share fellowship with us are not enemies to resist but rather neighbors to love. We’re not at war with anyone because in Christ we learn to see that ALL people are God’s beloved children, and therefore our brothers/sisters/neighbors whom we are commissioned to love and serve, even if (especially if) it’s inconvenient. Unfortunately much of the church in America takes on a cultural tribalism, assuming we’re at war with everyone who does not share our Christian values and beliefs. Ironically, then, we end up trying to fight against our enemies and silence them so that we can be free to worship the God who teaches us in Jesus not to fight against our enemies. We Christians need to learn to take our fidelity to Jesus and his way more seriously so that we have a reputation for being radically welcoming toward our neighbors (secularists/athiests/Muslims/Hindu/etc). Now that’s a truth claim that I’m proud to doggedly hold to. There is truth, and it is the way of Jesus, and I believe it’s what everyone is truly looking for, whether they realize it or not. And if you disagree and think I’m insane, I won’t hold it against you because Jesus has taught me to recognize your sacredness and worth as a human being and to love you in light of that truth. It’s an exclusive truth claim that inherently possesses a radically inclusive invitation for ALL to taste and see that the Lord Jesus is good.”)