“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
At my previous workplace, a few of us, Christian colleagues, would meet weekly for Bible Study. I recollect one such meeting where the reflection led to a colleague speaking about “WWJD”.
[Background: The phrase “What would Jesus do?” (abbreviated as WWJD) gained popularity in the United States in the early 1900s. It originated from a book by Charles Sheldon “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?”
The concept emphasizes the imitation of Christ based on Paul’s letter to the Galatians. The 1990s witnessed a resurgence of the WWJD movement among Christian youth groups with the wearing of WWJD wristbands. The wristband serving as a reminder to let our actions reflect Jesus’ love.]
As my colleague spoke, the slogan “WWJD” resonated with me. Imagine how life would be if we constantly asked ourselves “What would Jesus do?” and use it as filter to guide our actions and reactions.
I looked back on my life and instances came to mind where my thinking dictated my behaviour. “What would Jesus do” in those instances? A good question to ask but a tough answer to provide.
- How would I know what Jesus would do unless I spent time with HIM.
- How would I know what Jesus would do unless I have an intimate relationship with Him.
- How would I know what Jesus would do unless I am transformed in Christ.
Again I look back at my life and see stages where I ‘thought’ I was “good” in an area in my life, only years later to have it revealed to me that there are facets in that very area that need pruning.
What has changed? My thinking. How easy it is to justify our thoughts. How easy to fall prey to believing our thoughts are righteous. How careful we need to be in discerning our thoughts.
As St Paul says “We need to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
So what changed for me? The Lord is equipping me with a finer filter now than what I used earlier resulting in lumps that previously went through now coming to light.
- When I am hurt with what someone has said or done, does my pride come in the way of “What would Jesus do?”
- When I am frustrated with certain areas of my life, does my frustration come in the way of “What would Jesus do?”
- When I have no time to serve, does it come in the way of “What would Jesus do?”
Jesus was falsely accused, tortured, ridiculed and put to death. What did Jesus do? He prayed, he forgave, he served, he loved till the end. That is what Jesus did.
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
John 17:21-23
Let our thoughts and actions be founded in love, directed to keeping us one and encouraging each other in our journey.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:9-10
This reflection by Patrick Amaral is excerpted from the June 2024 Chronicle Newsletter of the Lamb of God Community in New Zealand.
Top image credit: Following Christ’s example of love and service, drybrush artwork © by Don Schwager.