My daughters usually read for themselves now, but when they were younger they begged for Patti and I to read to them. One book that Rozy and Kimberlyn particularly enjoyed was a children’s version of Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps. The story of Clarie and Bill’s adventures set in the days of the old west captured Rozy and Kimberlyn’s imagination. Page after page, my daughters pondered, “What would Jesus do?” and the book opened the door for lots of good discussions about living for Jesus.
Jesus Christ is the model for EVERY aspect of life. Consider a few passages that highlight the example of Jesus Christ.
- “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 NIV
- “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans 15:7 NLT
- “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25 NIV
- “Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.” Colossians 3:13 CEV
- “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 NLT
How does “live as Jesus did” live out in the real world? What does it mean for me to live like Jesus? How do I “bear the stamp of Christ” (1 John 2:6 PHILLIPS) in every aspect of life?
What would Jesus do? WWJD armbands were hugely popular in the 90’s. That is not a bad question to ask, but author Dallas Willard suggests we add, “WWJD . . . if He were me?” How do I model Christ behavior as a husband, a dad, a pastor? How do I live like Jesus in my office, my entertainment, my attitudes, my relationships, my ministry?
I think the Apostle Paul’s mission statement for life is: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NASB). Paul lifts up Jesus as the model and urges, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB). My standard of comparison should never be people. I must judge myself not by other peoples’ lives, but by Jesus Christ’s life. Wayne Grudem unveils the purpose for this imitation of Christ:
“Our imitation of Christ should not be thought of as a mere mimicking of Jesus’ actions, however. The far deeper purpose is that in imitating him we are becoming more and more like him: when we act like Christ we become like Christ. We grow up to maturity in Christ (Eph. 4:13, 15) as we are ‘being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another’ (2 Cor. 3:18). The final result is that we shall become perfectly like Christ, for God has predestined us ‘to be conformed to the image of his Son’ (Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:49), and ‘when he appears, we shall be like him’ (1 John 3:2). When this happens, Christ will be fully glorified in us (2 Thess. 1:10–12; John 17:10).” (Systematic Theology, p. 846.)
