Troy’s Morning Coffee Reflections

Think about this question for a second; does following Jesus get you to heaven? On the surface it sounds like a simple question, but when you dig a little deeper you realize the “just” calling yourself a “follower” of someone, does not mean you “Believe” all they stand for.

Now, to some this may seem like a play on words, but a year or so ago, I was sitting in Church, when my pastor made a statement that caused me to do some thinking. Basically he said committing a “mistake” is not the same as committing a “sin.” Then again today listening to Eric teach, he really caused me to do some thinking.

Yet, when I was listening I thought of how any times in a post modern world view, we like to water down someones sin and call it a mistake.

Well that got me thinking… Is calling myself a “Follower” of Jesus the same as calling myself a “Believer” of Jesus?

So I started doing a deeper study of the words “Follower” and “Believer.”

According to Dictionary.com the word “Follower” is defined as follows:
–noun
1.a person or thing that follows.
2.a person who follows another in regard to his or her ideas or belief; disciple or adherent.
3.a person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal: He was little more than a follower of current modes.

Now, we have all heard of followers of Buddha, Brigham Young, David Corrish, Joesph Smith, Mohammad, L. Ron Hubbard, Jim Jones, Billy Graham, Marten Luther, Rick Warren, Mother Teresa, John Wesley, Confucius Gangaji, and hundreds if not thousands of others though out history.

However, in each of the above cases (some which never claimed to by gods and others who claimed to talk for God, and others who were just nuts.) some of their followers decided that not all that was taught they could agree wth, and left to follow others, or to start their own movements.

Now let’s take a look at the word “Believer”

–verb (used without object)
1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.

–verb (used with object)
2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation: The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border.
5. to suppose or assume; understand (usually fol. by a noun clause): I believe that he has left town.

And, before I go any further, for all you Linguistic major’s, yes I understand that “Follower” is a noun, and the “Follower” is a verb. Which only goes to substantiate my findings below.

See the majority of the time you will here “followers” say something like this… “I am a follower “of“________.

While “believers” will say “I am a believer “in“______________.

Which brings us to my question above… ‘Does following Jesus really get you to heaven?’

Well, if we move from a linguistic approach to finding this answer, and go back to scriptures, and get rid of all the super theology and denomination propaganda (And yes I know those are harsh words), we’ll be able to get down to exactly what Jesus said and taught.

Troy’s Truth: Funny that between the time Jesus walked the earth, and today, we need folks to tell us what His words mean. Makes me wonder if Jesus walked among us today, how many theologians and preachers would be debating on what His true meaning really is.

Let’s look at a few of the scriptures where Jesus talked about “Following” and “Believing.”

Since I am not sure what version you might read, I will use the New King James (NKJ) & the Holman Christian Standard (HCS) Bibles.

The first verse I ran across was:

Matthew 4:19 (HCS) “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”
Matthew 4:19 (NKJ) “Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 8:22 (HCS) “But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 8:22 (NKJ) But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Now, let’s look at a couple of things Jesus said about “Believing:”

John 3:16 (HCS) 16. For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge (A) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
John 3:16-17 (NKJ) 16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Now I don’t want to cause anyone to go to sleep, so I am not going to pull any other Scriptures.

Troy’s Truth: For those of you who do not beleive in the Bible as anything but a historical, scientific or reference book, I’m not trying to change how you think. This is for those who, like me are wanting to deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ.

So, from what Jesus taught, “following” Him is the first step, in moving towards a personal relationship with Him. And it is at this time we start to believe “in” Him as the only way to Heaven.

So, unless someone can show me different, it seems that “following” Jesus does not guarantee we get to Heaven, but believing in Him sure is!

Never Give Up,

Troy Dooly

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Tags: jesus, salvation, Who is Jesus