The difference between feeling and following is practice. We are justified by grace, but we are transformed by grace-empowered practice. The fantasy of being a Jesus follower without following His words seems ridiculous. Yet, the disconnect fueled by the desire to fill church buildings has never been stronger. The tendency to treat listeners as customers to be kept happy has taken over. The result is seldom people are challenged to change.

Jesus understood and warned against this name-only discipleship.

Matthew 7:24  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25  “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26  “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27  “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell–and great was its fall.”

Jesus clearly warned us not to imagine hearing is enough. Modern church life seems built on the delusion that following Jesus consists primarily of attending listening sessions several times a week at a church-owned building.

Though listening is essential, being a follower of Jesus is about following His words in practice. These words will be put to work in your life under His power to bring transformation.

Practice and following are parts of the same process.

James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

It’s a sad truth that most self-identified Christians don’t even attend church services to hear the word. Sadder still is that they never have any plan to practice the things the Lord commanded.

This Sunday, the message will ask, “AM I A JESUS FOLLOWER?” I hope you come and hear about it. I also hope you consider what you will do in terms of putting His word into practice.

Remember, you can hear this at 8:00 or 11:00 AM. Please give the breakfast class a visit at 9:30 AM.

I can’t wait to see you.

Joe

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