The Problem with WWJD

[2nd man united]

The main point of the New Testament writings are to point us to the experience of the fullness of God’s message, which is Christ in you (Colossians 1:24-29). This experience was first referred to by Jesus’ earliest followers in the book of Acts as “The Way” and was meant to communicate the experience of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is The Way, living his life in and through both individuals and groups of individuals together. This was “the mystery that had been kept hidden for ages and generations” (Colossians 1:26).



Jesus and the apostles taught that human minds and powers were totally inadequate to live as Jesus would (John 15:5; 2 Cor. 3:5; Romans 7, among many others). Therefore, one would not be able to take an approach to the Christian life that involved asking “What would Jesus do?,” finding out, and then proceeding to attempt to live that way. This would be like buying a golf book by Tiger Woods, reading it and then thinking that you’re going to be the favorite to win the Masters tournament this year. Reading Tiger’s book isn’t going to make you a better golfer any more than reading the menu at McDonald’s is going to make you a better hamburger. You would actually have to go and swing like Tiger Woods.



Instead, Jesus and the apostles taught that Christ indwelled people and that His mind and power would emerge from and be manifested through individuals and groups that allowed God, Christ and the Holy Spirit to live with, in and through them. To apply this to our imperfect analogy, it would be like the spirit of Tiger Woods coming to live inside of you, taking complete control of your mind and body, and then playing golf through you. If this was possible, which of course we know it’s not, then you would have a shot at winning the Masters.

2nd man united produces Christian music and education for the Church in and around Canton, Ohio. Sign up now for the 2nd man united e-mail newsletter and receive FREE downloads of music and podcasts periodically. Listen to a sample of the latest episode below.

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[joanne guarnieri]

Glad to see your post here!

[2nd man united]

"When a Christian chooses to stop and consider WWJD before acting"

Do you think that stopping to consider what Jesus would do before acting has any bearing on the outcome of one's actions?

[2nd man united]

Two concepts that seem close, but are world's apart:

1. You acting like Jesus. (wood and straw)
2. Jesus being Himself in and through you. (precious stones that do not burn up)

In Christianity, isn't you acting like Jesus unacceptable?

[2nd man united]

Actually, I wouldn't say that WWJD is flesh since that has been totally circumcised, or "eliminated" for us non-Jews =) (Colossians 2:9-12). It's simply trying to imitate Jesus with human abilities. He warned us against this when He said, "apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Also, when Paul says "I am no longer living, but Christ is living in me," (Galatians 2:20) he doesn't mean "I ask the Spirit and read the Scriptures and then try to do what they say with God's help." He means "I have given up control of where I am going, what I am doing, my destiny, and my will and Christ is living all of these in, with and through me."

[2nd man united]

"It is not flesh to think thru how Jesus might react in a given situation."

I think we all agree on this.

Although we here seem to get this, here's where a lot of people get hung up. They translate the word "commandment" to mean something to keep or live up to. To read Matthew 22:37 in this way, like you could actually accomplish this with human abilities, is translating it through Old Covenant lenses.

In the New Covenant, The sense of the word commandment is like the programming of a computer. It’s not something to keep or live up to, but programming that is written on the hard drive of the heart by the Holy Spirit in spiritual union with God. When the programming (which is a Person) of supernatural agape love (which is a Person) is written on our hearts, we can allow these new instructions (which are a Person) to “run” the “programs” of our life.

As we abide in the vine (which is a Person), we bear much fruit (which is a Person).

It's all about Christ.