FaithMarks on April 30, 2025: Charles Sheldon and the Power of "What Would Jesus Do?"

Born April 30, 1849, Charles Monroe Sheldon may not be a household name today, but the question he popularized has impacted millions:👉 What Would Jesus Do?

As a Congregationalist pastor in Topeka, Kansas, Sheldon believed that Christianity should not just be a private faith, but a public, transformative way of life. He cared deeply about issues like poverty, workers' rights, racial reconciliation, and urban reform — and he saw no divide between faith and social action.

In 1896, Sheldon began delivering fictional sermons about a group of townspeople who pledged to live every decision by one principle: asking, "What would Jesus do?" These sermons were later compiled into the novel In His Steps. The story captured the imagination of a generation and challenged readers to rethink what real discipleship looked like.

In His Steps became one of the best-selling Christian books of all time, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. Its influence resurfaced in the 1990s with the WWJD bracelet movement, encouraging Christians, especially young people, to consciously model their behavior on Christ's example.

But Sheldon’s message was about much more than a slogan. It was — and remains — a call to live a life that mirrors the compassion, courage, and conviction of Jesus in every sphere: personal, social, and spiritual.

The Apostle John wrote: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."— 1 John 2:6 (NIV)

Charles Sheldon's life and work continue to challenge us today: Christianity isn't just something we profess — it’s something we practice every day and in every area of our lives.