Many Christians today view knowing and keeping the teachings of Jesus as secondary to their faith, when in reality, Jesus taught that it is essential to salvation. He made it clear that only those who abide in His word are truly His disciples, and it is through this abiding that they come to know the truth, which sets them free (John 8:31-32). Salvation is not merely about professing belief in Jesus but about actively following His teachings and allowing them to transform one’s life. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This means that Christianity is not just about accepting Jesus in word but about living in obedience to His commands. Many churches today emphasize faith in Jesus as a personal decision but fail to stress the necessity of keeping His sayings as a way of life. Church attendance, involvement in religious activities, and even enthusiastic participation in Christian community life are often seen as the main aspects of being a believer, yet the deeper calling to actually follow Jesus’ teachings in daily practice is frequently overlooked. True discipleship requires not just belief but obedience, and without this, faith remains incomplete.
Pastors, evangelists, and Christian leaders bear a heavy responsibility in this regard. Many passionately proclaim the message of salvation, urging people to "accept Jesus as Lord and Savior," yet they rarely emphasize the lifelong commitment to obeying His teachings as a necessary response to that salvation. Baptism should not simply be a symbolic ritual but a public declaration of a person's commitment to learning from Christ and living according to His words. Jesus described His teachings as a yoke that must be taken upon oneself, a responsibility that leads to true rest and freedom in God. However, when leaders fail to teach the necessity of obeying Christ’s words, they risk leading people into a shallow faith that lacks the power to transform lives. Scripture warns that teachers will be judged more strictly (James 3:1), highlighting the great accountability that comes with preaching the gospel. If the message of obedience to Jesus' teachings is neglected, then even the most zealous preaching is incomplete. Those who proclaim the gospel must first embody it themselves and then call others to true discipleship, which involves both faith and obedience. Anything less is an incomplete gospel, and those who teach without this emphasis are failing in their responsibility before God.
Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025
