Years ago an author, Charles Sheldon, wrote a book that bore the abovetitle. Basically he was dealing with the subject, "What would Jesus do?" This question should challenge us in every decision that wemake in life. I am convinced that many of our decisions would be different if we took the time to ask, "What would Jesus do under these same circumstances?" As a basis for this study, please read 1 Peter 2:19-25. We will be looking at a number of things found in these verses, but let us in the outset focus in on verse 21 where we read, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an examplethat ye should follow his steps." From the verses that I have asked you to read, let us look at a number of things that will be true in ourlife if we truly "follow his steps."

If we follow in the foot steps of Jesus, we will be called upon to suffer (1 Pet. 2: 19-21). In the first century those who followedthe Lord were often persecuted. After being told that they were not to teach in the name of Christ any more, Peter’s answer was, "...We oughtto obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). After being beaten we read, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41). Peter wrote, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled" (1 Pet. 3:14). In verse 17 he wrote, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." We today do not suffer physical abuse as Christians did back in the first century, but rest assured there will be some form of persecution. Paul wrote, "Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 2:12). Please observe that he did not say that there is a possibility of such happening, he said "shall suffer persecution." Our persecution today is in the form of words, and not of a physical nature. However, words can be cutting, and they can hurt. If we are not suffering any kind of persecution we should take a good look at our lives to see if we are truly living "godly in Christ Jesus."

If we are following Christ, we will be guileless (1 Pet. 2: 22). This means that we will be without deceit. Jesus never tried to deceive people, and we must follow in his steps. Peter earlier wrote, "Wherefore laying aside malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings" (1 Pet. 2:1). Again He wrote, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile" (1 Pet. 3:10). David wrote, "Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile" (Psa. 32:2). Again he wrote, "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile" (Psa. 34:13). Jesus paid a great compliment to Nathaniel when He said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile" (Jno. 1:47). Could He say the same about youand me?

If we follow in the steps of Christ we will refrain from using abusive language (1 Pet. 2:23-a). It is said of our Lord, "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again." After Jesus was crucified it is said, "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads" (Matt. 27:39). The American Standard Version renders the passage, "railed on him." Revile carries with it the idea of railing on someone---using abusive language. Our Lord was not guilty of such, and neither are we to be. Instead of being guilty of this sin, Paul could write, "...being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it" (1 Cor. 4:12). How serious is this matter of reviling? Note that it is listed along with other sins that will keep one out of heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Paul tells us how we are to treat those who mistreat us (Rom. 12:17-21).

If we follow Christ we will commit ourselves to God (1 Pet. 2:23-b). This means: "To give in charge as a deposit. When we deposit money into a bank, we are giving that money into their care and keeping. We are to commit our souls to the care and keeping of God. As Jesus was dying he said to His Father, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit..." (Lk. 23:46). We must do the same. David wrote, "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psa.37:5). David could write, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me...."(Psa. 23:4). Paul could write, "...for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12). We must do the same, because Peter wrote, "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator"(1 Pet. 4:19).

To follow Christ we must be "dead to sins" (1 Pet. 2:24). Christ "died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3), and we must die to sin (Rom. 6:1-11). We cannot follow in the foot steps of Christ while carrying sin on ourbacks. We must get rid of sin in order to follow Him.

Finally, to follow Christ we must "live unto righteousness" (1 Pet.2:24). Christians believe in life after death. If there is no life after death, then we might as well live as we please because we will not have to fear the future, because there will be no future. However there is a future---heaven or hell. Our life here on earth will determine which it will be. Because of this Peter wrote, "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God" (1 Pet. 4:2). Paul could write, "Iam crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). Again he would wrote, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil.1:21). When one is baptized into Christ, he arises from that watery grave to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). He is a "new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor.5:17). One cannot live as he once did---living after the flesh. We are told, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. 8:13).

Are you willing to follow the Lord in this life? Following Him will ultimately lead to heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth,and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (Jno. 14:6). Do you believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be? If not you cannot go to heaven (Jno. 8:24). Are you willing to turn from sin in repentance(Lk. 13:3; 5)? Are you willing to confess Christ before men that He might confess you before the Father (Matt. 10:32-33)? Are you willing to be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? If you do these things, the Lord will add you to His church (Acts 2:47). Live a faithful life in His service and some day you will receive the "crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Why not begin that journey today?

. ...Virgil L. Hale