I was a youth minister back in the 90’s.  It was a fun time.  One thing I remember was a phrase that became extremely popular spawning lots of bracelets and t-shirts.

Charles Sheldon wrote an incredible book called In His Steps in the late 1800’s.  His great-grandson (Garrett Sheldon) wrote a new version of it called What Would Jesus Do?  And that is where the phrase was born.

What Would Jesus Do? – WWJD

The idea is to ask what Jesus would do before you do something.  It’s a radical concept but should be natural for Christians.  It comes down to letting your heart follow His heart.

What was His heart like?

Jesus’ heart was pure.  His motives were pure.  No one could claim any wickedness in His heart.  1 John 3:5 puts it like this: “there is no sin in Him.”

Jesus’ heart was peaceful.  Hypocritical religious people hated Him, but He was at peace.  His own followers didn’t understand Him, but He was at peace.  When a deadly storm hit, He was at peace.  When people denied Him, He was at peace.  He even died for all of us though we turn our backs on Him.

Jesus’ heart was focused.  He knew that He came to seek and save the lost.  His mission was to bring salvation to all who believe in Him.  That was His focus – His mission.

His heart shined brightly.  Children were drawn to Him.  He found beauty in the normal.  He saw possibilities where others saw problems.  He gave His time to people who wanted things from Him, and He still loved them.

Lots of people wore WWJC bracelets in the 90’s.  Lots of people claim that they know what Jesus wants, but they are really convincing themselves what they think is what Jesus would do.  Yet, most don’t really know Him; they don’t know His heart.

Do you?

I urge you to ask WWJD and do it.  This is where we find pure hearts, peaceful hearts, and purposeful hearts.  It also is how we live out what we read in 1 Peter 2:21: “For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.”

In His steps – that’s where we need to be.

By the way – you can read both of those excellent books that gave us WWJD.  Click each of the pictures below to get them…