I have heard it preached several times that it is a good idea to think about what God would think of what you are doing.   For example, would God approve of this movie I am watching? or, Do I really think, God who is with me right now, is enjoying this movie?

Here is this new, deeply challenging thought that crossed my mind for the first time this week.  Jesus did only what he saw the Father doing.

Is perhaps the right question?  Can I see any example in the Bible of Jesus or the Father doing what I am doing?  Cuz if Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing, and we are called to follow His example….?  Changes everything.

An example from this week.  I see and read about Jesus telling people the truth about God.   I don’t see Him spending hours trying to convince those who didn’t believe.  I see Him showing great mercy to the woman caught in the very act of adultery.. and I hear His stern admonition to “sin no more”.   I see this same admonition to the man paralized and sitting by the pool waiting for that angel to stir the waters…  A miraculous healing and later, that a variation of the same “sin no more lest something worse comes upon you”.   Seemingly in His interactions, He left the ball in the other person’s court to pursue Him further or return to their old ways.  A whole new perspective has been opened to me.. Lord I pray that You will lead me in all wisdom, love and truth to follow Your every leading.  In Jesus name.

John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.”
John 14:9-11 “Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.”

John 5:19-30 “So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man] Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. “