In His steps summary

The Challenge of Following in Jesus' Steps

In In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon, the story begins with a sermon delivered by Reverend Henry Maxwell, the pastor of the First Church in the town of Raymond. A homeless man named Jack Manning interrupts the service, asking for help and challenging the congregation to live their lives as Jesus would. This encounter prompts Reverend Maxwell to ask the question, 'What would Jesus do?' before making any decision.

The congregation is initially skeptical of this idea, but a small group, including the newspaper editor, the wealthy young woman, the singer, and the railroad mogul, accept the challenge. They commit to living their lives according to this principle for a year and see where it leads them.

The Impact of Following Jesus' Example

As the year progresses, the lives of these individuals are significantly altered. The newspaper editor, for instance, decides to stop publishing any material that he deems harmful, including advertisements for alcohol and tobacco. The wealthy young woman, Rachel Winslow, uses her wealth to establish a Christian mission in the slums of Raymond.

However, the choices they make also come with consequences. The newspaper loses advertisers, and Rachel's father disowns her. The singer, Virginia, loses her job because she refuses to sing in a saloon. The railroad mogul, Alexander Powers, faces opposition from his board when he decides to run his business according to Christian principles. Despite these difficulties, the group remains committed to their pledge.

Challenges to the 'What Would Jesus Do?' Principle

As the year comes to a close, the group reflects on their experiences. They acknowledge that living by the 'What would Jesus do?' principle is not easy. They also recognize that their actions have not transformed the entire town of Raymond as they had initially hoped. However, they believe that their individual changes have made a positive impact on the lives of those around them.

Despite their commitment, the group also faces criticism and opposition from those who do not understand their actions. The Reverend Maxwell is even asked to step down from his position because his radical ideas have led to a decline in the church's finances and popularity.

The Cost of Following Christ

As the book concludes, the small group reflects on the challenges and blessings of living by the 'What would Jesus do?' principle. They acknowledge that following Christ comes with a cost, but they also affirm that it is a cost worth paying. They have seen the positive impact of their actions on the lives of others, and they have grown closer to God in the process.

In conclusion, In His Steps is a thought-provoking and challenging novel that explores what it truly means to live as a Christian. By asking the question, 'What would Jesus do?' the characters in the story are forced to confront their attitudes, actions, and priorities. The book encourages readers to consider how they might live their lives differently if they were to follow Jesus' example more closely.