(What Would Jesus Do?)
The best benchmark for our lives is Jesus.
"Give to him who keeps on begging from you, and do not turn away from him who would borrow [at interest] from you."[De 15.8; Pr 24.29] - Matthew 5.42
Paybacks aren't worth it - Abe Lincoln
Abe Lincoln had a political rival named William Stanton who was very free with his criticism, and even insults, toward the President. He would refer to the Lincoln as "the gorilla in the White House" - a reference to his homely appearance and gangling arms. One time Lincoln was asked his opinion of Stanton to which he replied, "William Stanton is one of the most brilliant and capable men I have ever met."
One of the reporters nearby asked, "Aren't you aware of the things Stanton is saying about you?"
"Certainly," came the reply, "but I was asked what I thought about Stanton, not what Stanton thought about me."
"During the dark days of the Civil War, Lincoln asked Stanton (much to the latter's surprise) to serve in an important and influential position in the government. He accepted and worked closely with the President during those crucial months in our nation's history. When Lincoln was assassinated, William Stanton stood beside the casket with tears rolling unashamedly down his cheeks, and was heard to say, "There lies the greatest man I have ever known."
This seems to me a near perfect illustration of the concept the Apostle Paul advanced in Romans 12.17-21: Don't repay anyone evil for evil, if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone .... Do not be overcome by evil but over come evil with good."
May God bless your every effort of overcoming evil with good!
GOD SAID: "Nice touch."
I SAID: "Thanks. But . . . what are we talking
about?"
"That WWJD bracelet you're wearing."
"Oh. Yeah, I have got five."
"I know. You can match them with just about anything
in your closet, can't you?"
"Yeah. Cool, huh?"
"You've got a pretty good collection."
"Yep."
"Too bad it's not more."
"Well, I'll get a few more eventually. After all,
they do cost."
"No, I'm not talking about adding more bracelets to
your collection. But, you're right? there is a cost
involved."
"Uh oh. I've got a feeling we're not on the same
page, are we, God?"
"Nope."
"Look, I'm kind of in a hurry, Lord. So if You have
something to say, could You just say it?"
"I already have."
"Guess I didn't catch it."
"Let's go through it again, okay? Check out 1 John
2:4-5."
"Uh. All right. Gimme a sec."
"It's under your bed."
"What?"
"Your Bible."
"How'd You know that's what I was look ...."
"I'm God, remember? I know everything."
"Oh, yeah. Okay. Here we go: 'Someone may say, ' I
am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to
Christ.? But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to,
he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to
will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to
know whether or not you are a Christian? (TLB). So . . .
lay it on me, God. What are You saying?"
"I'm saying it sure would be nice if that WWJD
bracelet you're wearing was more than a fashion
statement. But if it were . . . it would cost."
"Hey, wait a sec! I'm not just wearing this as a
fad! I know what it stands for. I believe in it."
"Believing in a phrase . . . and living the
lifestyle are two different things."
"I'm listening."
"Well, to really live out the WWJD lifestyle may
cost you some dates."
"Guys?"
"And maybe some friends."
"The girls?"
"And maybe your time."
"My TV shows?"
"WWJD means asking yourself, 'What would Jesus do'
before anything and everything you do."
"Well, yeah . . . technically."
"Excuse me?"
"I mean, yeah . . . we all know that's what the
letters stand for."
"But ...."
"But to take it seriously. I mean to actually ask
ourselves that questions . . . well, that would change
everything? or at least a lot!"
"Check out 1 John 2.6."
"Okay. Got it right here. 'Anyone who says he is a
Christian should live as Christ did' (TLB). Hmmm."
"So what's it gonna be? A fashion statement or a
lifestyle backed with commitment?"
"But God, I'm not sure You really understand. If I
truly asked what would You do . . . well, You probably
wouldn't go to the movie I'm gonna see this Friday with
Brian."
"Not that particular one; no."
"And You probably wouldn't want me hanging out with
Kari as much."
"She shoplifts. And since you're not doing anything
to confront her or trying to introduce her to me, she's
pulling you down. Yeah, I'd like you to quit spending so
much time with her."
"God, if I start asking myself that question
...."
"If you don't, and you continue to wear that
bracelet, you're a phony."
"That's a bit harsh, don't You think?"
"Read My words again. The ones in 1 John 2:4. Read
the last part of that verse."
"'But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he
is a liar' (TLB). Ouch."
"Yes . . . ouch. I died for those words."
"I know."
"I also died to give you the power you need to put
those words into practice."
"I'm not that strong, God."
"I know. I made you, remember? I realize you're
weak. I know your temptations. But I can equip you with
everything you need to become all I call you to be."
"You know what this means, don't You' There may be a
few Friday nights I'm home alone."
"No, not alone. I've promised never to leave you. I
would love to spend this Friday night with you."
"Is this for real?"
"So real I shed my blood."
"But . . . Friday night . . . alone with God?"
"Oh, my child, the things I want to do in your life.
The dreams I want to give you! The vision I want to
create with you. I have so much in store for you, your
mind couldn't comprehend it all if I told you everything
right now."
"Wow. For me? That's kind of exciting!"
"For you. You're that special. I dream big dreams
for you."
"I'm pretty good at dreaming, too, God."
"Yes, you are. But My dreams are even bigger than
your imagination! Check out Ephesians 3:20."
"Okay, here it is: 'Now glory be to God who by his
mighty power at work within us is able to do far more
than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of '
infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts
or hopes' (TLB)."
"And what about Jeremiah 29:11?"
"Old Testament. Got it. 'For I know the plans I have
for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not
for evil, to give you a future and a hope' (TLB).
Wow."
"My child, I love you way too much to let you slide.
It hurts me to watch you settle for WWJD being a mere
piece of fabric wrapped around your wrist when it's meant
to be so much more."
"I'm sorry, Father. I never really thought about
it."
"You see, I went through more torture than you can
even fathom . . . just so you could live WWJD instead of
simply wear it."
"This is a lot to swallow."
"And I did it because I love you."
"But Father, I don't deserve a love that
great."
"And you know what? If you had been the only person
in the entire world, I still would have gone through the
crucifixion just for you!"
"Jesus, will You forgive me? I'm so sorry. I never
meant to take your death for granted. I don't want to be
a phony. I want to be genuine and full of You. I want
people to see a difference in my life. I'm sorry I've
taken You for granted. Jesus, fill me. Saturate me.
Control me. Let me be putty in Your hands. Remake me in
Your image."
"Yes!"
"I need to hurry to my piano lesson right now, Lord.
And as soon as that's over, I have an important
appointment."
"Oh?"
"With my Bible and my heavenly Father. We need to
talk about my friends, my time and my
entertainment."
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"That's exactly what Jesus would do!"
Rich Greenwood
rich.greenwood@boeing.com
BYA10 M/S 67-AF
(425)-234-0938
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