The discipleship catchphrase of the 1990s was, “What Would Jesus Do?”

Many believers wore bracelets and T-shirts with “WWJD.” The question is derived from the book I read in my 20s, In His Steps (Charles Sheldon, 1896). It should lead you to read the NT and see what Jesus did. As we think about CHOICES, I urge you to ask: What did Jesus do?

The Gospels explain how the events of Palm Sunday evoked praises from some. But Jesus’ Passion Week sufferings revealed His boundless love for the world. Read 1st Peter 2 (21—25, NASB) to hear what Jesus did.

This passage opens, “For you have been called for this purpose.” In “this purpose,” we find salvation. Following Jesus Christ is a redirected life because He left “you an example, so that you would follow in His steps.” Jesus is our model for making choices as God intended.

What did Jesus do?
Jesus chose INTEGRITY in the face of temptation.

He “committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth” (22). By the power of the Spirit, we can follow His steps when tempted.

There was no deceit “found in His mouth.” It wasn’t in His mouth because it wasn’t in His heart. “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” He modeled integrity: a sense of inward morality and honesty. Psalm 51:6 says God desires “truth in the inward parts.”

In Proverbs 12:22, we read, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” It brings great joy to God’s heart when He sees His children “walking in the truth” (3 John 4). Choosing to walk in the truth brings great freedom for us (John 8:31-32).

Integrity matters because temptations never fight fair! In 1896, Norman Kid McCoy was the welterweight boxing champion. In one of his fights, he learned his righteous opponent was deaf. They were near the end of the 3rd round. McCoy stepped back and pointed to his opponent’s corner, pretending the bell had rung. When the contender turned his head, McCoy unloaded and knocked him out. It wasn’t fair, but it happened because the boxer gave in to the temptation for rest and relief. As soon as he yielded to temptation, he was defeated. Temptation never delivers what it promises! It tells you to trust what you see, but if you give in, you’ll be knocked out by the devil.

When faced with choices that tempt us to turn and go our own way, we should follow Christ’s example and choose integrity. Don’t cut corners, don’t manipulate, and don’t shade the truth. “Buy the truth and do not sell it” (Proverbs 23:23). When tempted, choose integrity.

What did Jesus do?
Jesus chose FORGIVENESS in the face of insult and injury.

The highest mark of the Christian life is loving others in the face of insult and injury. Love turns the other cheek and allows God to defend our cause when we’re experiencing unjust persecution.
What insult and injury was Jesus abused with?

In Matthew 11:19, Jesus was labeled as a “glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (ESV).
In Mark 3, His family said, “He is out of his mind” (21, NIV). Then Jerusalem’s teachers of the law said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons He is driving out demons” (22, NIV).
Matthew 27 says, “They spit on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again” (30, NIV). “In the same way the robbers who were crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him” (44).

Yet, when He suffered, Jesus made no threats. He could have exercised His power and vindicated Himself, but He controlled Himself with gentleness, which is great power under great control. There was no revenge in Jesus, only the grace of forgiveness. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

A lady was walking her dog, and it kept trying to make a break for freedom. But the lady refused every time he pulled away and yanked the heavy chain. The animal was bound and unable to break free.

Maybe you find yourself held by a similar leash. The chain’s links are too much. There are links of anger, bitterness, and resentment. But all these can be boiled down to one chain: the chain called unforgiveness.

Jesus “brought our sins in His body up on the Cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed” (24). He was wrongfully wounded, but He chose forgiveness (Luke 23:34). He is the healing balm of Gilead, Who arose with healing in His wings. Following in His steps, we, too, can choose forgiveness.

How does this work in daily life? Jesus tells us in Luke 6:27-28. “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (ESV). Those four actions should be taken when others hurt us: love them, do good to them, bless them (don’t bless ‘em out!), and pray for them.

What did Jesus do?
Jesus chose TRUST in the face of His darkest hour.

The last part of verse 23 tells us that Jesus “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” He chose trust at the bitter end of His earthly life. “Kept” means it’s a choice we’ll often make.

Trust is personal; no one can trust God for you. Our level of trust in Him depends on how well we know Him. Sometimes, you can’t understand what He allows because you don’t know Him well enough.

Our Father is merciful, and He judges justly. Mankind tends to be unmerciful in judgment because we often project our sins onto others instead of confronting them. But, in the Kingdom of God, “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

In 1982, a great tragedy occurred in Chicago. It was a routine September day, and shoppers entered a grocery store. Many of them needed and harmlessly purchased some Extra-Strength Tylenol. But someone had maliciously tampered with the bottles and laced some capsules with cyanide. Seven people died. They innocently believed they’d only get pain relief from the contents of the bottle.

That tragically true story leads me to ask: When will we stop trusting in bottles? The help we need comes from God (see Psalm 121). I’m not saying to stop taking your prescriptions. But drug and alcohol abuse will only temporarily numb you and depress you! But God wants to help you permanently. We need to practice trusting God more.

God alone has 100% trustworthy counsel. So, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Pro. 3:5-6).

From the Cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). You should face God and pray as Jesus did.

Jesus is our model for making choices as God intended.

“You have been called… that you would follow in His steps” (21). Here’s why Christians must follow His steps. When you try to lead your own life, you’re “continually straying like sheep” (25).

In the face of all life brings us, we can choose to follow Him. Choose integrity when temptation knocks on your door. Choose forgiveness when insult and injury come. Choose trust in your dark days.

Verse 25 ends: “But now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” Are you going astray from God? You’re free to choose. You can go your own way, but “its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; Romans 3:23, 6:23). Yet, there is life after death in Jesus Christ.

Return to the Good Shepherd and the One who watches over your soul. Let’s meet at these altars and make a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ. There is room if you choose to kneel at your seat and pray. Commit to following His example in all your critical decisions.