What Would Jesus Do?

No not necessarily "through me," Helen.

Not to quibble over semantics, but Jesus COMMANDED us to do things in His name, and look at JOHN 14:12, "do greater works, because I go unto the Father."

Many many verses say to imitate God and that Jesus set an example for us to follow in His steps.

God works within us, to will and to do of His good pleasure.

We are laborers together with God.

To imitate God and Christ, to be gentle, joyful, full of trust and faith, compassionate, self-sacrificing...we are called to do all this.

Why are people opposed to WWJD? Not trendy, insincere marketing products based on it, but real desire to ponder WWJD as a way to remember to imitate and emulate Jesus, and to manifest "Christ in you."

 

I honestly thought it was more geared towards kids...just trying to get them to focus on Christ when they were faced with peer pressure etc...am I iggy?? haha

Kathy
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Guess it's just semantics then. Either way you express could lead to passivity. I believe we are discussing the same thing basically here.

Peace, my sweet sister!

 

JINX you owe me a coke Vaspers!! We posted at exactly the same time!! hehe

Kathy
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Vaspers, in what way do you not know what Christ would do?

Is there a situation you have in mind?

Does not the Scripture address every circumstance, and if not at least the attitude that goes with it?

 

Kathy, you follow vaspers around, demanding american soft drink beverage? you very mean lady, vaspers have no have no coke for you today, you quit teasing vaspers and making vaspers cry all day, what is this "he he" you call that a laff? vaspers no like all dat "hehe" business, you be nice again like helen and diane.

Yes I believe in the scriptures containing all the general principles...and direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, the still small "voice" or spiritual impression, on some specific things...

...like what to say when witnessing to specific people, when to say it, how to say it, when to shut up, when to end the witnessing session, etc.

"do not worry about what to say, your Father will give you the words at the right moment" -- Vaspers Paraphrase Version.

Mom calls. Wants me to tell my brother to quit being mean to her, but he claims she is lying. "What would Jesus do?" I ponder. Is there a Bible verse on this? So many could apply. Hmmm...blessed are the peacemakers...do not forsake your mother when she is old...etc.

So yes, that's not a real complex example, but we can all think of situations where many verses could be applied, so it takes deep wisdom and Holy Spirit as Teacher to know what to do.

"What Would Jesus Do?" is not "quit studying Bible and let word of knowledge kick in." You should know by now I am great advocate for biblical standards, study, application.

WWJD is NOT for children primarily. Some kid products and such may have been designed on theme, but WWJD is ADULT concept, from a classic Christian book by Charles M. Sheldon. 1966 I think is date of publication. Beautiful story about wishy washy church that wakes up. Check it out. ADULT concept, not "youth gimmick."

 

Vaspers; I read that book. It is excellent reading material.

That book changed all the character's lives in it when they started asking WWJD in every aspect of their lives.

It would change our lives too...

Blessings,
§ue

 

I guess my understanding of prayer and how God directs our lives is just different than yours Helen.

Do you really find an example in Scripture of people prayer to know what God wants them to do? Is that even the purpose of prayer?

 

DD: it's not like God is a Search Engine and you type in a prayer request of "what web usability book should I buy today, and at what book store, and from which sales clerk?"

But the Bible is full to overflowing with commands to "seek His face," "in all thy ways acknowlege Him and He shall direct thy paths," etc.

Prayer was conducted prior to all kinds of major decisions, even Jesus prayed before selecting His 12 disciples. Many verses on this subject.

Of course, there are many purposes of prayer. One of the big ones is to stay tuned into God's divine mind and heart. Carry on a non-stop conversation with Him as though He really were right there with you: He is.

God expects us to study His Word and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Bible says Holy Spirit is our real Teacher, Comforter, gives us the words to say.

It's like, in my humble imperfect prayer, something like this maybe: "God you know Everything. Wife and I are seeking new church. Thank You for guiding us through Your Holy Spirit to the church You already know would be best for us at this time in our lives. Even though You may have us visit from 2 to 200 different churches, we trust that You will lead us eventually to a good home church to join and work hard at and be blessed by. We appreciate Your intimate loving care for every tiny detail of our lives. In Jesus name we pray. So be it."

God is NICE. That's what I'm learning these days. Very very NICE to His children. He loves to bless us beyond our wildest dreams!

 

The purpose of prayer is to humble the children of God to accept the purpose and will of God, it is no where taught in scripture that God or the purpose and will of God is changed on account of prayer.

Exodus 32.7-14

 

Frogman, how about Intercession?

I mean theologically you may be correct in a certain sense, but Abraham pleaded with God, and lost the plea.

But then Moses pleaded with God for the sinning untrusting Hebrews, and God relented and altered His original announced intentions, didn't He?

This is most likely a figurative manner of expression, but hmmmm....it seems like Intercession is really asking God to do things, to have mercy, to INTERVENE where He does not seem to be INTERVENING.

This is a complex and extended debate amongst theologians, but I think we must reconcile both extremes. We must pray like we can petition the Lord to change things.

 

It is very foolish to put reliance on one's own imagination. If we will study the scriptures and grow near the Lord we wil know what the Lord would do.

 

Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10:5

I agree totally freeatlast.

Carnal human imagination is not the same as imagining prayerfully, scripturally, what Jesus might do or have us to do in a specific, or complex, or confusing situation.

Ask, what would Jesus do? and you'll be alright.

That honors Him as our role model, big brother, Saviour, in fact that's what "Lord" is all about, isn't it? Obeying and picturing His spirituality applied to a given situation!

His actions and sayings are recorded so we can emulate Him by acting and speaking as much like Him, our LORD, as possible.

Christian = little Christs = people with Christ in them = kingdom of God is not "up there" but is within YOU, by way of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. We're ambassadors of Christ, as though God did beseech you by way of us. II Corinthians 5:20.

Put on the mind of Christ and exercise divinely inspired imagination, or if you prefer, mental visualizing, or renewed mind inner rehearsals, or whatever you want to call it: imitate, emulate, use as role model, Jesus Christ! Yes!

He's our example to follow as Lord and Master!