WWJD?

I make it a habit to not be critical of another person’s ministry; its safer and more importantly, I’ve discovered that I, too, become a target for criticism. Pastors get beat up more than anyone could imagine; I make it a habit to encourage instead. But, after reading an article on the web that said: “Phoenix Pastor Draws Protests After Telling Church He Prays for Obama's Death”; I think that I must make an acceptation.

My concern is more that people will draw a conclusion that this is what God thinks. The Apostle Paul wrote letters to pastors instructing them on how to conduct their lives and ministries. In 1Timothy (one of these letters) chapter 2 Paul clearly instructs us to pray, BUT not in the way this pastor from Arizona was instructing his congregation.

Read this passage: “1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (1Timothy 2:1-8) Later on in that same letter to Timothy, Paul wrote: “12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1Timothy 4:12-16) The Apostle Peter wrote: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

We ask the question “What Would Jesus Do?” (WWJD?), but then we don’t go to the Bible to get an answer.

So, WWJD? Jesus said “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (Matthew 23:15)

WWJD? A woman was caught in adultery and brought before Jesus: “This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.” (John 8:6-8)

Finally, WWJD? Jesus made perfectly clear why He came here on this earth; “For the Son of Man has not come to destroy men's lives, but to save.” (Luke 9:56a)

WWJD? Jesus on the cross: “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34a) My friends, whether you voted for this current president or not, he and all leaders need our prayers. They are humans who are subject to temptations and pressures to make quick decisions just like you and I. Their bad or good decisions affect us all.