Whatever you do, do not read the comments.
I have shared this piece of advice with friends on countless occasions. I often forward an article with a note saying, "Just don't read the comments." You've probably seen a comment thread on Facebook turn nasty over polarizing topics like politics.
Sadly, you have likely watched people who have "saved by grace" in their profiles act without kindness or love toward those they disagree with. Those moments are hard to watch, and they can make it hard to tell others about your faith in Jesus.
Phil Wickham knows about this challenge. His new song, "The Jesus Way," is a declaration that he will live his life (to the best of his ability) in such a way that his actions align with the lifestyle of Jesus.
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In the press release for the song, Wickham shared transparently. "'The Jesus Way' is one of the closest songs to my heart that I've ever released. It's impacted my own life personally in a profound way. For me, it's a line-in-the-sand song about what I want to stand for and who I follow."
Throughout the song, Wickham draws on Jesus's most famous teaching, The Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5-7, Jesus describes how his followers would live. This counter-cultural model has been challenging people for two millennia since Jesus spoke those words.
"The Jesus Way" opens with a bold commitment. Wickham sings, "If you curse me, then I will bless you. If you hurt me, I will forgive. And if you hate, then I will love you." Wow! I need help remembering a bolder opening verse to a song that plays on Air1 Radio.
Wickham's bold words echo the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-47. "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!... If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?"
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The chorus declares, "I follow Jesus, He wore my sin, I'll gladly wear His name." Wickham considers it nothing to walk in this Jesus-like pattern, especially in light of what Jesus did on the cross for humanity. The chorus continues with phrases like "He is the treasure, He is the answer." Jesus is more important than anything else, including our comfort.
One of Jesus' lesser-known statements occurs in Matthew 10:24, where He says, "Students are not greater than their teacher." The dominant cultural message is that each of us is exceptional. Not only are we taught to believe that we are exceptional in our potential and performance, but we are also taught to believe that we are the exception to the rules.
But, as followers of Jesus, we follow a standard set by Jesus. He is our model to mimic. He is the standard we hold to which we hold ourselves. However, we often see Jesus as merely our Savior, not our example. It's easy to look to Jesus for forgiveness for our past sins and security for our eternity while not embracing him as a model for our lifestyle in the present. "The Jesus Way" offers us a picture of what it looks like to believe in Jesus and seek to live like Jesus.
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One of my close friends is in a challenging season. False rumors are spreading about her, and her character is attacked. A mutual friend recently interrupted a meeting at a local restaurant when he heard two people demean her. This mutual friend put a stop to the conversation. I was so proud of this guy for his courageous friendship, but I was also appalled at what was happening to someone I cared about.
When I heard the bridge of "The Jesus Way," I had this friend in mind. Wickham sings, "And I choose surrender, I choose to love…I choose forgiveness, I choose grace, I choose to worship, no matter what I face." Those words can be beautiful to sing but brutal to live.
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If you are in a challenging moment or struggling to interact with people with whom you see the world differently, "The Jesus Way" could be a difficult but necessary song for you. Reading Matthew 5-7 and listening to this song could be great reminders of what following Jesus means.
Don't let the adversity or the way others treat you discourage you and lead you to give up. "The Jesus Way" is not easy. So, remember that Jesus is walking this way with you. He knows how difficult each step is. As the writer of Hebrews noted, "This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
When life gets overwhelming, we will find the grace needed to walk along "The Jesus Way."
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps you laugh, challenges you to think, and invites you to grow. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona, and watches lots of movies with his wife and three kids. You can begin Scott’s newest project, The 21 Day Gratitude Challenge, today.
