Over the past several years it has been popular to wear a little rubber bracelet that has the letters W.W.J.D. on them, followed by a question mark. The continual use of the jewelry is to remind the believer wearing it to question their every word and action and ask themselves, “What would Jesus do” in any given situation. The answer to this seemingly obscure question is simple: He’d do exactly what the Father told Him to do. Matter-of-fact, do you know that Jesus did absolutely nothing on His own accord? Read through these verses in John about what Jesus said regarding His purpose on earth.
“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19
“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38
“My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.” John 7:16
“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28, 29
Jesus, as part of the Trinity, knows the heart of God and therefore carries out that which pleases His Father. Equally so, that should be our desire, to do the will of the Father in all things. I love my children even when they don’t do what I know is right, but I am pleased with them when they walk in righteousness. God’s love for us never wavers, however, when we are disobedient and sin, He is disappointed in our behavior.
My four year old daughter is learning independence and has become fond of the word, “No!” As much as I hate giving her consequences for her disobedience, I know that as a parent my role is to set my children up for success – ultimately spiritual success, so I correct her behavior in love, knowing that it’s vital that she learn to be obedient to me. If she doesn’t learn to do what I say is right, she will struggle in her relationships with both the Lord and others as she grows up. I know a lot of adults who have never learned that lesson and have difficulty holding jobs, getting along with others, maturing in Christ and coping with life. They feel entitled, like the rules don’t apply to them, and that the world should accommodate them, but that’s just not how life works.
In closing, allow me to encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him what the Father would have you do in any given situation that you may be dealing with in life. Often, we think we know the answer to be the most logical one, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes God has plans for us that are different from ours and they require utter dependence upon Him. As our example, Jesus said and did nothing apart from what He saw and heard His Father saying and doing. Let us pause in life and learn to see and hear so that we can do the same.
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