What Would Jesus Do — or not?
by Vivian
Most people have heard of those WWJD bracelets, reminding Christians to follow Jesus’ example in their daily lives.
But what are Christians known for doing?
I just read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” which I enjoyed very much, but I was surprised at the Amazon reviewers who felt it was anti-religious, mainly because one Christian woman was portrayed as self-righteous and judgmental. Unfortunately, despite some Amazon reviewers’ claims that they have never met anyone like that in their church community, I think the stereotype of Christians is often negative.
Our Wed PM kids class just finished discussing “Do Hard Things : a teenage rebellion against low expectations” by Alex and Brett Harris. One of the sections was titled “Be known for what you do (more than for what you don’t).”
Aren’t Christians often known more for what they don’t do (e.g., dancing, drinking, sex before marriage, etc.), and for frowning on those who do those things?
But as Alex and Brett wrote, “We’re not just supposed to avoid sinning; we’re supposed to pursue righteousness in a way that others will want to imitate.”
“Do Hard Things” is full of examples of young people thinking outside the box of their insulated lives about how to be salt and light to a broken world (e.g., providing for the homeless, digging wells in Africa, fighting modern-day slavery). They are living out their faith in world-changing ways.
Imagine a world where Christians are known for what they DO, instead of what they don’t do.
What is Jesus calling you to DO for Him?
June 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I recently read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And I, too, am surprised that Amazon reviewers felt it was anti-religious, because of one judgmental Christian woman. Without ever consciously thinking about it, I had assumed that most of the Guernsey islanders were Christian. Given the historical setting, it would be unlikely to be otherwise. And most of them were portrayed as doing what they could to help each other.
I don’t know if the general view of Christians is a negative stereotype. I certainly hope not. With the larger number of people in the present day who are not practicing Christians, it is possible that Christians are thought of more as people who have to follow rules than as people who live in the freedom of God’s love.
Vivian’s point is excellent when she quotes Alex and Brett as saying, “We’re supposed to pursue righteousness in a way that others will want to imitate.” There used to be a monthly magazine, “God’s Word Today,” published by George Martin, who also wrote many of the issues’ daily reflections. In the March 1991 issue on The Sermon on the Mount that I decided to use again this month, he writes, “Those whom the Beatitudes describe are like salt and light to the world. Those who set their hearts on living in the way that Jesus pronounces blessed, and who carry through in action, will be noticeable in a world that is sadly insipid and darkened. Those whom Jesus calls blessed will stand out not because they are striving to be honored and famous but because even quiet goodness leaves its mark.”
June 13th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
The Christian stereotype you speak of may be an American one. It is not that way in other parts of the world.
Some places, India, Japan, China, Russia… I am familiar with see Christians as making the world a better place…indeed being salt and light.
We need to see Christians the way the world sees us, not just the way Americans do.
As for what Jesus is calling me to do - I’ll tell you what is on my list if you’ll tell me what’s on yours.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
What a lovely line: “even quiet goodness leaves its mark.” That is so true. An intentional follower of Jesus doesn’t have to be splashy and loud to be a potent influence as salt and light in the world.