Feb-2005; Assistant Pastor Brian Hargis
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? (WWJD)
Although (as a man) I wouldn't wear
a bracelet, I like the thought process
behind it. The
modern day contemporary philosophy is to say things (from the pulpit) in such a
manner, as not to offend anyone. The
political correctness of pleasing everyone, and offending no one, is sweeping
through our churches. Although this technique may add more members to your
church, it was not the technique used by Jesus Christ…who is suppose to be the
one that we model our preaching and teaching from.
Did you know that Jesus preached on Hell more than any other person in the Bible? Did you know that Jesus gave the best description hell, and who will go there (Luke 16)? Did you know that Jesus called the religious leaders hypocrites on more than one occasion? Did you know that He told them that they were from their father - the devil (John 8:44)? Did you know that Jesus has made more enemies than friends?
Was Jesus politically correct with the people of his day? No. He simply told the truth, and people hated Him for that. So much so, that they eventually rejected, and crucified Him. Was He kind, compassionate, and forgiving? You’d better believe it…but it was to those who truly accepted Him.
Take the woman caught in adultery, for example (John 8:1-11). Under the law, she should have been stoned to death. But Jesus had compassion on her and forgave her. He did not praise the sin…He stated, “…sin (commit adultery) no more”. However, He did reveal the sin in the hearts of those that brought her to Jesus. It was (again) the Pharisees.
If Jesus were present today, His message would be no different. His tactics would be the same. He would still call the religious leaders of world dominant religion (*Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, etc) hypocrites. He would still announce that, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He would still affirm the fact that anyone trying to get to Heaven by any other means (good deeds, keeping the law, baptism, membership, etc.) except by Him, will not get there (John 10:1-10).
He will not tell people what they want to hear, but what is truth. That is the reason people rejected Him 2,000 years ago. That is the reason people reject Him today, and that is the reason people will continue to reject Him in the future. The truth hurts.
Ø The truth that we are born sinners in need of the Savior.
Ø The truth that without accepting the Savior we go to hell when we die.
Jesus said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
I’m glad I’m free today because of the day I accepted Christ into my heart and life on September 19, 1988. I’m no longer headed for hell! I’m going to Heaven when I die and my spirit is free from the bondage of sin. I have peace in my heart because of Christ!
So …What Would Jesus Do?
Here are 10 quick points of the numerous things that Jesus would do. Basically, it’s the same thing He did, and would not change today.
Jesus would…
God has never changed. The moral laws He set for us are still in effect in the 20th century. God still hates lying, fornication, drunkenness, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, theft, slander, blackmail, pride, murder, etc. Jesus would not change His message just because these sins (and others) become socially “acceptable”.
17 times in the Bible, Jesus is noted for calling the religious leaders of his time hypocrites. In Matthew 23:24-26, Jesus clearly tells the Pharisees that their entire problem is that they are “perfect” on the outside, but their heart is black and don’t even know the God they “serve”. These were the most religious Jewish leaders of the Temple! It’s no wonder they hated and rejected Him.
2 Thess. 3:10; I Tim. 5:8
These are just a few things that Jesus would do. I hope this is an encouragement to you to proclaim Christ, call sin-sin, and not be afraid to condone the teachings of those that go against the Word of God. When thinking of the acronym "WWJD"...take the time to consider what the Bible clearly says that Jesus did, and incorporate that into your conversation and actions!
God Bless!
Brian Hargis Assistant Pastor*Note: I have had it said to me that mentioning other “religions” as wrong is offensive. The main reason why I refuse to become “religiously politically correct” is because Jesus didn’t do so. He exposed false religions on numerous occasions. I certainly would not do as good as a job as Jesus did, nor is that my intention, but I will not remain quiet about false religions, beliefs, and practices. I will not feel bad about saying a denominational name or world religion. I will expose wrong no matter what title wrong garnishes. The Bible is very clear - all roads do not lead to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-20). All religions do not profess the same god as the God of the Bible. Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6). All other beliefs on getting to Heaven are false according to the Bible. That includes all religions that do not accept Jesus Christ as God.
Comments on this article? Send them to me at brian.hargis1@us.army.mil