And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17, NLT
Remember the popular jewelry worn by people a couple of years ago that displayed the following acronym: WWJD ( translated
: What would Jesus do?)
Well, that's a question I've had to ask myself lately after wrestling with how to respond to the tragedy that recently occurred in Orlando.
I confess my initial response was not one of compassion in light of the backlash Christians have received for sharing their concerns and viewpoints about the recent transgender bathroom issue. But then I began to reflect on the popular acronym worn in the past by many of us who wanted to live a life like Jesus lived: WWJD?
How would he react to the current events occurring in our nation over the bathroom rights of transgender individuals? And how would he respond to the recent tragedy that occurred in Orlando with the LGBT community?
I believe he would respond like he did before. For in spite of how someone looked, or the lifestyle they chose to live, Jesus displayed compassion to them. He was compassionate with a woman married and divorced five times and currently living with a man who wasn't her husband. He was compassionate with a man employed as a tax collector who was stealing money from his Jewish brothers and sisters. He was compassionate with a man who needed healing on the Sabbath, even though it was against the law to do so, and he was compassionate by eating and socializing with men labeled as notorious sinners. Jesus could have chided or criticized these individuals for the lifestyles they chose to live, but instead he demonstrated compassion, which then opened the door to share his message of truth and salvation.
Those who claim the name of Jesus Christ are challenged to do the same today. So
whether we agree with the lifestyle choices of the LGBT community, or the transgender bathroom issue that is currently blanketing our nation, may our first response as Christians be one of concern and compassion for our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community who were a part of the Orlando tragedy. Because that is what Jesus would do.
Sharing my perspective,
Jeaninne
Prayer: Father, help us as your children to be like you in all we do and say. Amen.
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