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"WWJD?" or "WDJD?"

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But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(Acts 20:24)

Here’s a question that bothers me: What Would Jesus Do?

Let me explain.

Remember all the WWJD? paraphernalia from the 90′s? Yeah, you do. The key chains… bracelets… necklaces… bumper stickers… license plates… Who hasn’t seen the popular acronym before? I couldn’t help but laugh when a few months ago I stumbled upon the old WWJD? key chain that faithfully held my first car key my sophomore year of high school. What made this especially funny to me is that I wasn’t even a Christian then. I thought I was a Christian (but only by default, since I went to a Christian church); however, it would be another few years until I truly believed upon the gospel and came to radical saving faith in Christ.

So, with key chain in hand, I asked myself: What was it that inclined an unbelieving Chris Poblete to dig the “WWJD?” phrase at the time? Perhaps it was an attractive ideology to live by?

That’s when I realized that, though totally well-intentioned, WWJD? was the wrong question to be asking myself.

I don’t think it’s a bad question… not at all. However, it does miss the point. Hugely. “What would Jesus do?” sells Jesus Christ as an ideology… and idea for how to make good decisions for living a proper life. It sells us short of knowing the Gospel. He becomes our friendship model, our self-help mantra, our ’5 steps to a better marriage’ and our ’10 steps to worry-free living.’

But Jesus came to bring the Gospel. And the Gospel is good news… not good advice.

Now that I’m saved, I understand that God did not send His Son  just to merely teach me the right things to do in this life…

Jesus didn’t come to make me more religious and spiritual. He didn’t come so that I would be overcome by emotional religious piety and experiences. He didn’t come so that I would vote for family values and lowered taxes. He didn’t come so that I would passionately serve in the latest cause, raising awareness for health pandemics and social injustices. He didn’t come to teach me to be accepting and open-minded to everyone else, everywhere and no matter what (unless they are not as “open-minded” as I am). He didn’t come to make me a better “people person” with a charming smile, a good handshake, and polite manners.

I am not saying that these are all bad (though some are). It’s just that Jesus didn’t come because I needed the perfect example on how to do good “Jesus-things”.

He came because I needed a Savior.

The Jesus Christwe need is the Great Reedemer—the Savior King. This King of Kings showed God’s own love for us by leaving His great throne in heaven to live a life that we were supposed to have lived, die a death that we are otherwise condemned to die, and rise victoriously from the grave in triumphant victory over sin, Satan and death. He came to free us! He absorbed the wrath of God and ushers us not into a life of reconditioned morals but, rather, into a life marked by God’s irresistible grace, the forgiveness of sins, and the free gift of salvation.

That’s what Jesus did.

“… he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” –Isaiah 53:5

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” –1 Peter 3:18

This is a message worth sharing. It’s a life that he provides—a new life–not a lifestyle. It’s a Gospel that saves. The good news of Jesus Christ is not about what He would do; it’s about what He did. And that’s why I say the question WWJD? bothers me. It misses the point.

The new question we should be asking is:

What DID Jesus Do?

… let us ask ourselves daily. The answer is good news worth remembering.

Comments

  1. Give Credit to whom credit is deserved. YOu even posted my own quote on Acts 20:24 from the bibl. Why do many americans are in the habit of taking credit for what they did not come up with on their own?

  2. Thank You, Jesus, that You were willing to give of Yourself as You did! We should be ever mindful of the grace of God and what Jesus DID.

  4. Good point. I never really liked the acronym because it just seemed to be just another catchy phrase. Thank you for your post.

  6. Very true, I think we should (and are required) to take it a step further and not only ask ourselves this question but also ask others the same question and be ready with the truth. That is kingdom work.

  7. Very good points. I will add that when we believe God and obey God’s Word, we are doing what Jesus did.

  8. Awesome message! To be reminded daily of the sacrifice that was made just for me! That God so loved the world that HE willingly GAVE his son’s life just for ME! The one who is not fit to even untie His shoe! Now, that is God News!It is THAT Gospel that compels me to LOVE unconditionally!!! To become a fool in glorifying Christ! To risk everything to spread the concept of WDJD; The Gospel that changes lives and fans hope in a hopeless world! To let the world know that Jesus SAVES souls…He restores us to right standing and allows us to call on ABBA, Father. Oh, to pick up my CROSS and to follow HIM. To do what Jesus did! Then I asked myself…WWJD?? For “greater works shall YOU do because I go to the Father!!! And is NOW seated at the right hand of GOD! Great is the Victory of our Lord and SAVIOR…Jesus Christ! Selah

  9. The question begged with the phrase WWJD was one that already had an answer. The Bible tells us what he did and what he would do. I found that this phrase gave people permission to make up what they thought he would do and created an image of Jesus in their own mind. It comes out with, “the Jesus I know would not do that” etc. Yet asking that question when rightly schooled by scripture is not all bad. .

    • I think that maybe people are missing the point altogether. I believe the acronym invites curiosity and the chance to discuss Jesus, ie witness, if you will. One of the easiest ways to get a tween or teen to engage…

      • And this is, I think, a continuation of the full point made by Poblete. The Bible tells us about Jesus and His works as He obeys the Father’s commands. When people begin to get their own, individual “ideas” in the mix, as with ‘what they think Jesus would do’ in any given situation, THEY take control.
        It is not “what would Jesus do” it is what am I going to do, now, based on being a Christian, obeying His commands, living differently with relationship as opposed to without relationship with Him.

    • My thoughts too! I never liked the WWJD because most people don’t know what Jesus would do. They haven’t been born again, and thus do not have the Holy Spirit residing in them to show them what Jesus would do in any given situation. Therefore, like Jeff said, most people have a made-up idea of Jesus, which really is a form of idolatry because an imagined Jesus is not the true Jesus Christ!

  10. that must be the most copied topic in Christian devotionals, just finished reading another on that was WDJS, what did Jesus Say. oh well, there is nothing new under the Son. nobody steal that ok? 🙂

  11. If I should post something that will help mankind to grow closer to Christ. Please steal it or repost it. Spread the word anyway you can! GBYA (God Bless You All)!

  12. The phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” comes from Charles Sheldon’s book “In His Steps”. In the story, those who ask themselves that question are already believers and have thereby accepted what Jesus did on their behalf. The question “What would Jesus do?” was meant to motivate the characters in the story to share that gospel message with their community. What would Jesus do? He would go share a life saving message about redemption. What should I do? Tell somebody about what God did! What Jesus did should never be ingored, but following the moral character of Christ (what he would do) is no less important. What He did and what we should do go hand in hand. The question does not miss the point, but is a proper response for those who have understood and accepted what Christ came to do.

    • Danny, I agree with the spirit of what you’re saying, and I’m glad to hear your insight.

      But we speak of what would Jesus do as if He were not still doing.
      We ask what He would do or what He did, trying to guide our thinking toward practical daily life decisions in a self-focused way, as if we could do more than believe. We cannot.

      He came for MUCH MORE than just my need for a Savior. He came to Live the Christian Life from inside of each of us because we were and are unable to live it ourselves.
      Even Christ was unable to live the Christian life – He said, “Of myself I can do nothing, but the Father in me does the works.” Do we think we’re better than Him?

      So I think the answer to BOTH questions ( WWJD and WDJD ) is exactly the same for Jesus, and the same for us, too: Believe God. That’s the Whole Answer. That is the total end of our doing. We are not really able to DO more than that, because to try to do more is to see ourselves independent of God like the destroyer who said “I will be Like God”.

      Jesus said, “This is the work of the Kingdom, that you BELIEVE into Him (Christ) whom the Father sent.”

      After Believing into “I AM”, then HE IS THE ONE who Does through us; WE do Nothing.
      Remember the Do-er gets the Glory, and FatherGod will not share His Glory.

      Jesus said, “I DO NOTHING, but the works I do are really the Father doing the works through me.”
      And Paul said, “I am not the One Living; Christ is the One Living – from inside of me”.

      We are dead. We died WITH Him. If we think we can DO more than Believe, we are in the sin of Pride. Father is the only DO-er, and He does His DO-ing through us. We are His temples and bodies, where He Resides and Accomplishes all things that are Done.

      – Alan

      • I agree, Danny. Knowing the history of the phrase definitely defines the use of it.

        In the book, the pastor was looking for a way for the believers in his church to step out of being Christians in name and membership, and to make a commitment that everyday life decisions made would be based not on what was profitable or looked right, but on the politically incorrect example of Christ.

        I strongly recommend that those who haven’t read the book “In His Steps” yet, do so. You will be challenged in your daily walk with Christ in a deeper way.

        Being a disciple of Jesus, a follower, means that I do as He did. Which means loving to the point of sacrificing my life.

        I agree, the WWJD catch phrase can be taken very lightly, applied shallowly. So is the name of our Father and Savior. Just as if I say that I love God, but hate my brother.

        It’s not the phrase that has the power to change my attitude or lifestyle, but it’s my relationship with Christ, and desire to obey His Word. It’s looking in His Word – how did Jesus handle this or that situation… will I follow His example, even though it costs me something? everything? Am I willing to be unpopular, politically incorrect, to stand alone?

        “Though none go with me, still I will follow.”
        “The world behind me, the cross before me.”

        These are easy to sing, not so easy to do… and such is the phrase, What Would Jesus Do?

        I must also say that I usually steer away from the current “popular” hype of this or that new book, phrase, etc… such as “Purpose Driven Life” or “Jabez’ Prayer.” Not that all within it is wrong – but I hesitate to get on the “band wagon,” to run after the crowd.

  15. I can dig that, WDJD? (What Did Jesus Do?) It’s awesome! It’s funny you talk about this because I’ve always thought the WWJD should stand for “What Wouldn’t Jesus Do”? And the reason why I say that is because I once asked someone, (non-believer), “What Would Jesus Do?” His response was, “I don’t know”! This guy sincerely did not know! That was because he didn’t know the bible or Jesus for himself. So, it makes sense to me why he didn’t know. But for some reason, non-believers are very clear on what Jesus wouldn’t do whether they know the bible are not!

    Thanks for sharing your story and helping to put in perspective what Christ did for us!

  16. Alejandro,

    You left not an email, a website or any other information other than “He Cheated!” (paraphrasing).Honestly, the Spirit of God is what does this.At times, the same thing that you were thinking or saying is manifested by someone else in another place. Your original thoughts are not your own, they proceed from God and as such, give God the Glory that Chris was moved by the Spirit of God to post…Is this in your book or something?

  17. Thank you for this precious reminder. That it is done!!!!!!!!! Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith.

  18. i believe that WDJD applies for those who are seeking their way to salvation. Yes, there isn’t a single thing we can do to be save. It all rest on the accomplished work of Jesus. WWJD is only applicable to Christians who are living out their salvation in Christ. In the midst of this challenging world we need to be always focusing towards Jesus.

  19. Even though I had read Charles Sheldon’s book when I was in high school, I soured on the WWJD slogan when my son came home from college and told me that he met a guy who was obviously an unbeliever, but always wore a WWJD bracelet. When my son questioned him about the bracelet, the guy replied that it was the fastest way to get into the Christian girls’ pants. Guess that’s one reason the Lord tells us to be ‘wise as serpents and innocent as doves’.

    • Greetings Debby,
      I haven’t read the article but was skimming through the blog entries and happened to catch your comment (the Lord showing me something). My daughter is 18 and I have been telling her about guys who pose as Christians to get to the Christian girl . . . I’m going to have her read your reply so that she can see that this is not only coming from me, but others as well. And, I agree, ‘wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’
      God bless you Debby and keep encouraging your son to stay strong in the Lord!

      -Cruz

  20. The problem that I have with WWJD Is that it is by nature speculative. We are to know the truth and the truth will set us free. WDJD I believe is the appropriate question because it is based on fact. Jesus said that the same works and greater works we will do because He goes to the father. (John 14:12) I feel that Christianity has lost its impact because we have become about ideas and not about simply doing the works that Jesus did.

    We need to be changing lives by the power of the gospel which means not leaving people in the same hopeless state that we have found them in, not saying “God bless you, go in peace”, but leading them in the power of God’s word that has the power to change lives. I just want christians to realize what God has called us and has equipped us to do.

  21. Okay. Not sure if you’re ready for this. Can all the people I am pastoring wear a bracelet that has WWMD(What Would Mikie Do? Doesn’t Paul put that idea front and center in 1 Cor 11:1?
    The idea of the bracelet was to help people (presumed Christian, aka, followers of Christ) make the right decision at some critical point in life. Chris has gone the route (well taken) that some have used it to motivate morality whether a follower of Christ or not.
    As a leader. Am I living the life that all those in my flock can look at and say, I’m imitating him…cause he’s imitating Christ?
    I look back at the debacle of the late 80’s and early 90’s and realize how the fall of so many ‘BMOC’ probably help create the present attitude young people have about the church. “Yes. I believe in Jesus. I just don’t see the relevance of the church.”
    I just became a pastor in a rural setting (town of 225). My life is under a microscope. If this is my “chains” (Paul in Philippians) may I be broken and spilled out for the sake of the gospel. At 55 I can ill-afford to play games with a duplicitous lifestyle (like anyone can afford that at any age!).
    Satan isn’t playing games. Why should I? By God’s grace alone will the battle be won. One life at a time…with or without a bracelet but always chained…a prisoner to righteousness (Ro 6:18)

  22. I have to disagree… Not because I agree with the WWJD fad but because to go from one WWJD to another WDJD is like trying to separate colors from a rainbow.

    What did Jesus do when the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him? Stooped down and wrote on the ground… what did He write? It’s in the Law, but it wasn’t cited because that wasn’t the point. When His disciples walked through the grain fields and plucked heads of grain, the Pharisees found fault. Yet, again Jesus didn’t throw the Law at them but cited what David did when hungry. What Jesus did, isn’t what I would do, I’d throw Scripture at them and miss the point entirely.

    So, I don’t think, what would Jesus do, but ‘Lord, what would You do? How would You answer? …why?’ Not just see what He did, but ask Him why He did it (woman at the well; widow of Nain) and especially for us ‘for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross…’ what was that joy? Will it help me take up my cross daily?

    By restricting to a ‘what would..’ or ‘what did…’ we miss out on the why, the how, …when (He didn’t exactly race to Lazarus’ side, did He? why not?) and where (go into all the world; yet the Holy Spirit preventing the apostles from going to Asia); and so when it comes time to be imitators of Christ, we can’t because we don’t know how He did something or why, instead like Peter or the ‘sons of thunder’ end up doing the very thing Jesus wouldn’t do and getting rebuked instead.

    It gets back to Pr 3:5,6 “… in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

    • Greg.
      Good response and I think the heart of what Chris was pointing to and I know it reflects what I am trying to say. We tend to turn things made with good intention by turning them into ‘christianeeze lucky charms’–remember Prayer of Jabez by Wilkerson anyone?
      So, thanks for the good words. They echo my thoughts pretty well.

      • Basically it comes down to this. If you are a follower of Christ walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit then whatever you did should be what Jesus would have done and you can do that because of what he already did!!

    • I think you are right. Knowing why Jesus did something is not as openly knowable as knowing what he did. I think it has more to do with the moment by moment reality of his life that “he always did what the Father said”. In that position, there is safety. I know the Holy Spirit is here to lead us into all truth, but, I have a harder time knowing what may be true about the situation I am in in any given moment.

      — I hear a lady a few years ago speaking about “Why did Jesus wait to go to Lazerus”. She said Jewish tradition held that after four days, only the Messiah could raise a man from the dead. Jesus waited until when he got to Lazerus all of the Scribes and Pharisees would know that he was raising a four day dead man from the dead. Jesus was providing the Scribes and Pharisees with all the proof they needed so they too could believe that he was the Messiah. He did not want them to perish, he loved them. But, they continued to resist the truth. That was their stumbling block. I must confess, it has been my stumbling block on more than one occasion.

  25. I was taught in a ministry class the same basic thing…that WWJD misses the point. Instead, we would ask, “What did Jesus do, What is Jesus doing, and What will Jesus do?”

  26. Chris ….great article, if some one got an opportunity to witness because of the question great, if someone led another person to the Lord even greater, but at the end of the day, I fully agree with you, and as you said, and I quote,

    “That’s when I realized that, though totally well-intentioned, WWJD? was the wrong question to be asking myself.

    I don’t think it’s a bad question… not at all. However, it does miss the point. Hugely. “What would Jesus do?” sells Jesus Christ as an ideology… and idea for how to make good decisions for living a proper life. It sells us short of knowing the Gospel. He becomes our friendship model, our self-help mantra, our ’5 steps to a better marriage’ and our ’10 steps to worry-free living.’

    But Jesus came to bring the Gospel. And the Gospel is good news… not good advice.”

    I SAY AMEN!

  27. Finally, I have to add another comment from the Bible…

    So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Gal 5:16 and

    Gal 5:25 …Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit

    So to reiterate Chris, I agree the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, not good advice. Thx bro.

  28. Great insights, Chris. I wrote a piece on the WWJD? bracelets as well. It’s very confirming that I’m not the only one who sees this. I’ve taken quite a bit of flack from people in the 90’s who feel threatened by this message.

    The question of “What would Jesus do?” is a very good question, I always make sure to stress this point, however, we do not pose this question TO Jesus nor do we look to the historical man. Rather, we look to the Spirit whom Jesus has left us and ask, “What would Jesus do?” Our Counselor and Comforter, the Spirit of Truth who takes from what is Christ’s, which he received from the Father, comes and tells us exactly what Christ tells him to say. (Jn 16:12-15) If we have been at a loss as to what Jesus would do in the world today or see a lack of power or conviction or confidence in carrying it out, it is most likely because we have not engendered a close relationship with the Spirit. Jesus is not jealous of the Spirit. Jesus himself testified that it was better that he go away so that the Spirit could come. The Spirit is much better at leading us and guiding us into the life of Christ than an ideological question of WWJD? and reminiscence and contemplation of what Jesus has already accomplished. Funny thing…a primary ministry of the Spirit is to remind of what Jesus said and did. (Jn 14:26) It seems that if we look to the Spirit we can accomplish a lot more than philosophical reflection. If we truly desire to be servants of Christ, would we not desire to be led, filled, empowered and animated by the Most Faithful Servant of Christ, the Spirit? He says nothing, does nothing and gives out nothing that he does not receive at the hand of Christ. And this faithful Servant of Christ is who we are to keep in step with. (Gal 5:25) Looking to the Spirit to answer the question WWJD? is much more effective, infinitely so, than looking to the historical Jesus: the historical Jesus holds no answers for WWJD? in my life today. This is Jesus’ statement, not mine. Jesus desires and fully expects us to do MORE than what he did, not just to copy what he did. (Jn 14:12) Jesus doesn’t desire us to do what he did by way of ministry here on earth: he desires us to do greater things. Asking WWJD? and the correlating mentality of looking backwards to the historical man is quite opposite to the desires of Christ! Jesus is still working in the world today through us by his Holy Spirit. (Observe Mark 16:20) This is not a blasphemous statement nor does it detract from Christ, but the world does not yet know the answer to WWJD? in this day and age until you and I live our lives before, in and among them by the power of the Spirit. WWJD? is answered here, in this moment and time in something totally new, something greater than what the historical Jesus did while he was on the earth. This is not in regards to his atonement on the cross but in regards to ministry on earth in the revelation of the Father. The question WWJD? may only be asked in excited expectancy and anticipation of what will be done a few moments from now that Christ has not revealed in himself up to this point. Jesus himself never operated from a mentality of, “What would I do? What did I do last time by way of history?” but was always being called into love, intimacy and unity with the Father by saying, “I only say and do what I receive from the Father. Father, I know what I did last time, so also does everyone wearing WWJD? bracelets, but what do you want me to do this time such that they may have a greater revelation of you and not put their faith in the ways of man?” Jesus did not minister out of habit (i.e. history, tradition, pattern, established methodology), but out of hearing.

    Being that your word correlated to my own, even to the point of being able to say that you just may have read my journals and used my thoughts without giving me credit, only affirms and encourages me in the Lord in that my thoughts are not my own: the Spirit is ministering the heart of Christ to his people and is not confused in what he is revealing to his Bride though they have no connection with one another at all. I pray that what I have written here is clear and concise so that any and all who read it may run with it. (Hab 2:2) Use whatever you want, implement whatever is useful, discard whatever I have said that may be in error while giving me correction and give God the glory. No need to quote me or give me credit. I am a plagiarist blessed in that I may reveal the words of God and speak them as my own–part and parcel of being his adopted son. Even my identity and name are not my own! What a wonderful Father we have. Blessings to you!

  30. “What would Jesus do?”, like most other novel ideas, concepts or campaigns in Christianity, started off with all the right intentions and, surely, caused my believers to re-evaluate their motives, ideas and behaviors at one point or another – before it became little more than a nauseatingly ubiquitous catchphrase (much like FROG, “Fully rely on God” , PUSH “Pray until something happens”, or “Know Jesus now peace – no Jesus, no peace”) once its potential to generate cash was realized. Such is the fate of so many concepts (and even teachings) in Christianity. Sad, but true.

    The problem didn’t really arise until this principle was dangling from keyrings, embroidered on bible covers and hacky sacks – rather than written on hearts – until it became merchandise and nothing more. That is not its fault, but our own. To say, as Chris does, that WWJD misses the point and transforms the ministry of Jesus into a philosophy or decision making program, well… misses the point. We are given a written testimony of the life of Jesus to serve as an example for how we should live. Something that seeks to constantly call our actions to comparison with His could never be a bad thing. Yes, He came here to save us. Yes, He has successfully and eternally redeemed us. That is, admittedly, the essential part of the story, but not all of it. Besides, it’s tough fitting all of that onto a keychain. Even if you could, would anyone care to by it? Catchy slogans sell. Truth doesn’t, necessarily. Which business is Christianity actually in? That’s the real question. Actually, there are two.

    The other real question ought to be “What did Yeshua do?” Yeshua, not “Jesus” actually, is the Promised One. He is the One, according to the prophecies, who came to ransom sinful men and bring us back to Adonai. He obeyed the Word of G-d (for He is the Word of G-d), He kept Torah completely and perfectly (or else He wasn’t sinless), taught His disciples to do the same (Matt 5:17-19), worshiped and taught in synagogues, and loved His Jewish brothers and sisters enough to bring the truth of Adonai to them. When has the “Church” done any of those things?

    WWTCDWYD? When will the Church do what Yeshua did?

    • Seriously? Splitting hairs over how to say his name? I thought God had people from every tribe, nation and TONGUE! I’m pretty sure Jesus is said differently in different languages (or tongues), but it’s still Jesus!

    • The gospel is for the Jew and the Gentile. Every time the gospel is preached it is to the Jew and the Gentile. Jesus directed us to listen to the truth of what he was saying. So, basically if a person’s background is Jewish they may use the same terms you are using, if a person is going into a Jewish community to preach the gospel he often uses the same terms you are using. The fact that you are asking the question begs the question, “Is God calling you to go to the Jewish people to preach the gospel?”

      The gospel is to the Jew and the Gentile. That means if I am preaching the gospel to Gentile people, I will want to speak in their language. If I am preaching the gospel to a Jewish people, I will want to speak their language too.

  31. Wyoming Mike,

    Good points and as evidenced here, by the comments of Elijah and Luke, it’s easy to fall into Satan’s snares… I mean, you talk about if we walk in the Spirit then we’ll know and do what Jesus did… yet looking at Peter in Acts mighty in the works of God, yet Paul later rebuked him for hypocrisy! So the need for diligence not to trade one idol for another, one catch-phrase for another.

    Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin… so in those points of temptation there are ways of escape (1 Cor 10:13) So, looking passed the letter (WWJD/WDJD) instead looking for the spirit of them I can understand what He did and why. Since there is nothing new under the sun, and what has been will be, I can look to the historic life of Jesus, see it come alive by the Spirit and walk in His footsteps (Ps 85:13 ; 1 John 1:7 ; Pr 4:11,12).

    • So that example is there for us to think about. Peter did not walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit 24/7 and though we don’t have any examples we can assume that Paul had the same flesh to deal with daily. No one is perfect except for the Lord. Peter got into following his flesh. Paul called him on it. That’s what brothers are supposed to do. (Good reminder on conflict-resolution…”attack” the problem/behavior, not the person).
      Yeah. Correctly applied…looking for the spirit, intent, of WWJD/WDJD is good.

  32. WWJD? Would HE post a response? Is every response just a view through a steamed mirror where each person relates to only the perspective they can see? Not necessarily a bad thing.

    The FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT have perfect perspective on every thing. Even if I only have a glimpse, I pray it is a godly one.

    If WWJD came from a believer as stated in one comment then as HE changes me into HIS SON the question has a good foundation which sheds light on sharing HIS gospel and loving him by obedience to HIS WORD. If from a non-believer trying to make a buck, then it’s foundation is sand as it attested to by the paraphernalia that might as well have gone into a time capsule. The question is where do I as a believer hold this question in a heart of good soil producing fruit or on my shirt or key chain. Either says something about my walk with CHRIST.

    Does the WORD of GOD teach us that the HOLY SPIRIT prompts us to do what JESUS would have done: share out faith, take care of widows and orphans, not shrink back when tested, serve and do not be worried about being served?

    Would we only do what JESUS did if we can find it in the bible? What if you can’t? Two examples might be doing greater things that CHRIST did or what about an encounter with a homosexual? The HOLY SPIRIT is our counselor to show is WWJD in every situation and then reminds us that we are doing what the FATHER wants us to do. As was stated in another comment, I can do nothing on my own. Hey that’s biblical.

    To the pure all things are pure so in that sense WWJD should always bring a believer back to JESUS and away from self.

    GOD Bless

  34. I like what Adrian Rogers said; (paraphrasing) “Asking what would Jesus do? is like going up to the plate to bat and asking “What would Albert Pujols do?”” I may know what AP would do but that doesn’t mean I can do it! Since apart from Jesus we can DO NOTHING (John 15:5)Maybe we should go back to the basics and say with St. Augustine ” (Lord)Grant what thou commandest and then command what thou wilt.”

  35. I briefly scanned through all the posts, so I appologize if I am repeating someones observation. I am excited to see so many are not willing to be based on performance as though mimicing Christ, but rather be in relation to Jesus and moved by His good news and His actions. In this context I have not changed the acronym, but the words the acronym was meant to define. my definition is present tense, “WWJD = “Watch what Jesus does!” AMEN!

  36. Thank you for bringing clarity to this “WWJD” thing! That acronym has always irked me. LOL!!

    Be Blessed!

  38. Some really good thoughts in Roxie, Roland and Abram’s posts.

    Thinking about them and the Albert Pujols analogy, if AP is your baseball/batting/conditioning coach and you’re trained by him over a few years… you might be able to recognize pitches the way he does, swing with his rhythm and understand the strategy of the game, but without his spirit you won’t be able to react in each situation with his ability. (Look at the disciples before and after being given Jesus’ Spirit. Zech 4:6 )

    So the only way I can lay down my life for the brethren (though no one join me… 2 Tim 4:2-18 ) is to be filled with all the fulness of God Eph 3:14-19 And which may mean preaching to the Ninevites, interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah or for the Israelites when they sinned and God would make of ‘you’ a great nation: Jonah, Abraham, Moses. Or what about Ananias being sent to pray for Saul?

    Some very thought provoking comments on this blog and some to be rejected outright… test all things, hold fast to what is good.

  39. Thank You for a very thought provoking article. I enjoyed it and I posted it on my Facebook.
    Jesus…I Long For You…..

  40. Perhaps the issue is not the form of the question, WWJD, but rather of whom are we asking the question. If I’m asking this of myself, the answer will be mired with my own thoughts and sinful nature.

    Rather I should be asking Jesus in prayer, “What do You want me to do?” Followed by asking for His power and His spirit to give me the strength to do it.

    I could surround my self with a million key chains and poster remining me WWJD or WDJD, but if I’m relying on myself to do the right thing, then my actions are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

    But if I turn to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, the I can ‘obey the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren’ (1 Peter 1:23)

  41. This is ridiculous. The overarching chiastic structure of the Gospel is simply… “follow Me and I will make you become fishers of men” and “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…”

    In layman’s terms the overarching sturcture of the Gospel is “come fishing how I fish, and go fishing how I have taught you to fish.”

    The central message (or pulse generating heart) of the Gospel is Christ’s viictory over Satan and the key ingredient to putting any of this successfully into practice is to meditate on and remain obedient to the two most central commands of the Bible, Love God and Love Your Neighbor.

    Apart from Jesus we can do nothing and the only way to honestly, practically make any use of any of this is to reflect on the life and work of Jesus Christ and to identify through observation and application, not only what did Jesus do, but what would Jesus do now in 2011? If you can’t figure that out then you have completely missed the point of “going fishing.”

    WWJD? serves as a reminder to anyone who makes use of it to go to the text, identify what He did, pray for guidance and operate based off of what He would have us to do.

    If more pastors and theologians would operate based off of WWJD?, the church would not be in the mess it is in today. Rather than embracing these little nuggets that God gives us and implementing them into our lives to make an effective impact for the Kingdom, we would rather invest countless hours and effort into toying with semantics of and reading too deeply into a four letter reminder that has provoked much more thought about the Gospel than probably any of us will do in our lifetime. Stop exegeting WWJD bracelets, reassess God’s purpose for your life and ask, WWJD with His time and energy?

  42. Chris Poblete, that’s a wonderful piece. Thank God that you are bold enough to take on the Pop Gospel!

    WWJD is completely useless in most situations. I’ve been in ministry for over 30 years. The question I have most often is: “What am I supposed to do next?”

    Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes he came, sometimes he went. Sometimes he was with the multitudes, sometimes he was with his disciples, sometimes he was alone. Sometimes he rebuked sharply, sometimes he spoke gently. Sometimes he retreated from opposition in Jerusalem. Then, finally, he set his face like a flint to go to the Cross.

    When you ask WWJD, it is of almost no practical value for guidance. At one time or another, Jesus did almost everything — except sin.

    There is a simple intellectual answer to WWJD. Don’t ever sin, and do be led by the Spirit in EVERYTHING. Now, try doing it. You’ll see quickly that when it comes to the real decisions of life and ministry, WWJD is not very helpful.

    Be filled with the Spirit, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!

  45. So Jesus made answer and said, Truly I say to you, The Son is not able to do anything himself; he is able to do only what he sees the Father doing; whatever the Father does the Son does it in the same way.

  46. thanks, I agree….it is all about what Jesus did for us & bc/ of that…we know how to live…

    …I have often thought that the acronym should be WWJT instead of WWJD…what would Jesus think!!!! of how we live..