W.W.J.D.

John M. Buttrey II

Most of us are familiar with the acronym: W.W.J.D. These letters represent the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” This popular question came from a fictional book entitled, In His Steps.

The initials W.W.J.D. adorn bracelets, coffee mugs, clothing, bookmarks, and a variety of other marketable items. It has often been suggested that this acronym be something we turn to whenever we are unsure about what to do in a given circumstance. When faced with a temptation, “What would Jesus do?” When trying to solve a difficult problem in life, “What would Jesus do?” When you are facing an important decision, “What would Jesus do?” The Scriptures do speak of looking to the example of Jesus. Consider these words of Peter in dealing with suffering unjustly for something:

For to this you have been called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21 Emphasis Mine).

Concerning following the example of Jesus, the apostle Paul told the Corinthians:

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

There is great value in studying the life of Jesus and following His example. However, constantly deferring to the question, “What would Jesus do?” will prove itself impractical for numerous situations in life.

Are you single and considering marriage someday? Ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Since Jesus did not marry, would this mean you could not, or should not, marry? Thinking of purchasing a house? Ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” For the answer here, consider this example from the life of Jesus:

And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20).

Would this require our being homeless? What about your career choice? Actually, you would have no choice. Doing what Jesus would have done would mean preaching.

As you can see, W.W.J.D. may be popular, but it is often impractical. One of the most impractical aspects of W.W.J.D. is that it is easy to convince ourselves that our choice in a particular matter would have been the choice of Jesus. In other words, our interpretation of Scripture would have been His interpretation. Our vote would have been His vote. Our way of handling a situation would have been His way of handling the situation. Such thinking may be selfsatisfying, but it is terribly deceptive.

A much more practical way of approaching life is to ask, “What did God say?” This is how Jesus lived His life (cf. Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; 21:42; 22:29). To live your life guided by “What did God say?” is to ultimately do what Jesus did! We can find what God would say by simply turning to the Scriptures for direction, answers, and instruction for daily living (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

We must understand that Jesus came to fulfill a very special mission (John 17:4). We are not called to pay the price for the sins of world (John 3:16), but to live sacrificially (Rom. 12:1-2). We are not called to build a church (Matt. 16:18), but to support the work of the church (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Heb. 10:25).

What did Jesus do? He lived according to the will of God.

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work (John 4:34).

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me (John 6:38)

What should we do in our lives? Well, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” The answer: Live according to the will of God.