If you’re around my age or even above, then I’m sure you remember the days of WWJD.
What Would Jesus Do?
As a kid growing up around the church, I was taught that we should ask ourselves WWJD before we do something. This was supposed to teach us to think like Christ would and act accordingly. In theory it was supposed to help us stay on the right path while also being a light to the ones around us.
This saying was so popular it was imprinted on shirts, on bracelets and even made into stickers we put on my books, cars and more.
Over the years it has faded and I’m petitioning to bring it back.
Why?
Because we’ve lost our way and it’s time for us to start living like Christ again.
The thing is, I’m not talking to the kids. I’m talking to the adults. The grown-up fully-fledged adults.
We can all agree that 2020 has been a weird year, and for some it’s been stressful beyond belief. You have COVID, money problems, BLM, the 2020 presidential election, and so much more.
During this time, I have been beyond disappointed in my fellow Christians with how they have acted, especially on social media.
The Bible teaches us to love and to love like Jesus. Let me give you just a few Bible verses on this matter.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
1 John 4:19-21
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannon love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
John 15:12
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have no love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging of cymbal.
1 John 4: 7-21
Proverbs 10:12
1 Corinthians 13:13
Matthew 5:43-48
1 Peter 4:8
1 John 4:7-8
Romans 12:10
John 13:34-35
1 John 4:10-11
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Ephesians 4:2
1 John 4:19
AND SO MUCH MORE….
Can you read those Bible verses and honestly say you’re living them out? If so congratulations you are in the minority or you’re lieing to yourself.
I get it, loving others can be hard. Really, Really, Really hard.
You have people who’ve wronged you. You have people who see things differently in life. You have people who don’t agree with your opinon.
It doesn’t matter.
If anyone had the right to be mad and not show love to others it was Jesus. He was wronged time and time again. He was ridiculded, gossiped about, cast out, beaten, and even crucified and yet on the cross he said, “Forgive them father for they know now what they do.”
HE SHOWED LOVE.
Do you get that? He saw beyond the hurt, he saw beyond the differences, he saw beyond the actions and he loved.
Unconditionally, whole-heartedly, loved.
Can you say you do that?
Can you even say you’re trying?
If your answer is yes, then I want you to look back on your social media posts and look at every single one and ask yourself if they’re showing love like Christ did.
If you answered no, then I want you to look back on your social media posts and look at every single one and ask yourself how this post showed love or didn’t and how you can do better.
We have to do better. We need to do better.
Let me say this, you’re allowed to have an opinion that’s different from others. You’re allowed to vote for a candidate that some wouldn’t agree with.
The thing is that no matter how different you are from other Christians or other non-belivers you are supposed to first love. PERIOD. END OF STORY.
What does that look like?
First, listening to the other side of an argument, story, or conspiracy without judgment, shame, ridicule, or condemnation. You listen with love.
Second, you try to understand where they’re coming from and how their story, situation, or opinion is different than yours.
Third, you should figure out how you can show love to this person or group even if I don’t agree with their opinion.
Fourth, you speak in kindness.
Did you notice that nowhere in there I told you that you needed to change you opinion?
Exactly, because you don’t have to, but you do have to lead with love if you’re a Bible believing and Jesus following Christian.
So, if bringing back WWJD will help people start leading with love then I say bring it back, because we need it more than ever.
Today and every day moving forward please show love to those around you no matter their religion, political views, race, gender, beliefs, opinions, or even sexual orientation. We all deserve to be respected and shown love no matter where we stand in life. Jesus loved everyone, not just those who aligned with him.
So, WWJD?
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