First published in 1896, In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon is one of the most influential works of Christian fiction ever written. Centered on the enduring question, "What would Jesus do?", the novel challenges readers to examine not only what they believe, but how those beliefs are lived out in daily life.
The story follows ordinary men and women who make a bold and demanding commitment: before every decision, they will ask what Jesus Christ would do-and then act accordingly. As their journeys unfold, the consequences are neither simple nor idealized. They involve sacrifice, inner conflict, social pressure, and profound personal transformation.
Though written in another era, the struggles portrayed in these pages remain strikingly familiar. Ambition, comfort, injustice, silence, and compromise continue to shape human experience, making the heart of this story as relevant today as when it was first written.
More than a novel, In His Steps invites thoughtful reflection and moral courage. It remains a timeless Christian classic that continues to inspire readers toward conviction, responsibility, and faith expressed through action.