You’ve no doubt heard the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” often represented by the acronym “WWJD?” It’s a good question. Jesus is referred to in scripture as our example in suffering (1 Peter 2:21). There are many examples in scripture of the admonition to do as Jesus did, even to the point of forgetting ourselves. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
WWID — “What Will I Do?” concerns living as disciples — learners and followers of Jesus. Luke 14:26-33 reveals to us some of what Jesus said about the nature of Christian discipleship. Note what Jesus says: “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else, …” (verse 26, New Living Translation). Discipleship is more important than family.
In fact, following Jesus is more important than anything. “…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (verse 33).
It’s only when we are willing to make this degree of sacrifice — including giving up the things most important to us, if they stand between us and the Lord — that we can be his followers and learn the spiritual lessons we need.
WWID? is concerned with my personal responsibility. I’m responsible for learning God’s will. I can best do that through faithful, consistent study of the word privately and publicly. I’m responsible for carrying out God’s will every day. No matter where he leads, I am to follow. I won’t know everything this involves at first, but I can gradually come to know more completely as time passes and my experience grows.
WWID? is an eternally important question. It’s only as we trust in the Lord and his help that we’ll be able to answer in a way that’s consistently pleasing to God. It was Jesus’ primary focus in life to do his father’s will. This was that which gave him direction, enabled him to overcome Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4:4, 6, 10). Think about this question in relation to your life.
1. WWID when life is difficult? Will I trust in God’s care?
"...do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25).
2. WWID when someone mistreats or sins against me? Remember Joseph’s wonderful response to his brothers when they begged his forgiveness: “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive ...." (Genesis 50:19-20).
3. WWID... with my opportunities to serve God and others? Will I be like the servants given multiple opportunities to serve who used them to gain others, or — like the servant given only one, but buried it? (“Matthew 25:14-30).
4. WWID to respond to Jesus’ plea to follow him? “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus is our example in everything. As he did, we can do.