07/28/23 CHOOSE YOUR PATH AND WATCH YOUR STEP CLOSELY

07/28/23 CHOOSE YOUR PATH AND WATCH YOUR STEP CLOSELY

WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) is a great question, it is not a statement of faith.

In Sheldon's book, In His Steps, a pastor challenges the people in his congregation to live a more Christlike life by asking themselves the question, "What Would Jesus Do?"

I read the book while I was in Bible College and it made a great impression on me. And because of this I thought it was a good book. I still think it's a good book. It was not until later that I realized there are theological groups that do not like the book because they think it is too man oriented. In other words they interpret the message to be, human endeavor, works of the flesh are sufficient to live the Christian life rather than a spiritual conversion and seeking the wisdom and the power of God to live the life that he or she should live. 

It is true that some people do view the Bible, the words of Jesus and his example, as a standard to be followed, without having a salvation experience or a Christian walk with Jesus. This skewed view of Christian living is related to the erroneous view that humans do not have the ability or responsibility to make choices concerning their relationship with God, concerning their conversion experience or their walk with God. Such a doctrinal position does not hold man responsible or accountable for faith, repentance, confession and choosing to follow Jesus. Those people believe that salvation is unilateral and unconditional, which is totally against God's revelation in the Bible.

No, asking the question, WWJD? is not the salvation experience and it is not simply a rule book or guideline for the unregenerate. However, it is a valid question for saved (converted, regenerated, justified, faithful believers) to consider. Even the Bible tells us to walk in the steps of Jesus.
1 Peter 2:21-25
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

dlg note...
As believers, we are responsible for our walk with God.
Consider these directives from God's word.

*walk in newness of life (Ro. 6:4)
*walk in the light, even as Christ is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7)
*walk in the steps of Jesus (1 Pe. 2:21-22)
*walk as Christ walked (1 Jn. 2:6)
*walk in truth (3 Jn. 1:4)
*walk in love (Ep. 5:2)
*walk in faith (2 Co. 5:7)
*walk in good works (Ep. 2:10)
*walk worthy of our calling (Ep. 4:1)
*walk worthy of the Lord (Co. 1:10)
*walk worthy of God (1 Th. 2:12)
*walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh (Ro. 8:4; Ga. 5:16, 25)
*walk after God's commandments (2 Jn. 1:6)
*walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11)
*walk in paths of the righteous (Pr. 2:20)
*walking in the ways of the LORD (Ps. 18:21)
*walk honestly (Ro. 13:13)
*walk as children of light (Ep. 5:8)
*walk circumspectly, carefully, wisely (Ep. 5:15)

I am so glad that Jesus actually saves me, cleanses me, forgives me, empowers me, encourages me, comforts me.
I am glad that He is alive and active in my life, rather than simply a model, an example to follow in my own power.

He is my Savior, my Sanctifier, my Deliverer, my Guide, by Strength, my Shield, my Song, my Light, my Food, my Drink.
He is my all in all.
He is all I need.
He gives everything I need for life and godliness.
He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Take a few minutes to think on this passage.
Colossians 3:1-17
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.