What Would Jesus Do?
This question gets bantered about by well meaning people all the time. For a time we had these really cute bracelets that you could wear to remind you to ask yourself this question before making some foolish decision.
Now don’t get me wrong…desiring to make God honoring decisions that are consistent with the life of Jesus is a good thing and I’m certainly not poo pooing it in any way.
However I do think the very premise of this question is flawed and really reveals a misunderstanding of the gospel.
You see Jesus’ life was not simply an example for us to follow, it was a vicarious offering for us to appropriate. Most of us understand the substitutionary aspects of the death of Jesus, but for some reason we don’t seem to make the connection when it comes to His life. But it is imperative that we understand that Jesus not only died the death we could never die, He lived the life we could never live.
Therefore in those areas where you have failed miserably, Jesus succeeded incredibly. This doesn’t excuse sin, it should in fact motivate us toward holiness. But the reality is we aren’t perfect and will never be perfect this side of heaven, so when (not if) you fail you can rest in the finished work of Jesus. Not only the fact that His death brings forgiveness but that His life brings perfection for you.
“15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
