Jesus wants to separate the true followers from those professing believers. He said, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,” (Jn 8:31)
I met a group of young professionals in a certain church one day. I was impressed with their commitment in their tasks in church, and none of them ever complained, no matter how tedious the work was. I asked them what drove them to commit in church. Their response was, if you understand Christ’s teachings and what He has done to save you, your only rightful and logical response is gratefulness and obedience. Of course, you can rest for a time, but not all the time. Obedience defines a follower of Christ. This sounds easy enough, but not when sufferings and sacrifices are involved. This is what Christianity is. Sufferings, not prosperity mark Christianity. And when someone suffers, obedience becomes difficult. But this defines a true follower of Christ, not as a means to be a follower, but because you already are.
It’ll be hard for the Jews to do that because they have their own traditions and practices. They would have to abandon those things and follow Christ’s entire teaching (remember He said Word, not words, pertaining to the entirety and unified message of His teaching in the purest sense of the Scriptures). This would now be a test of their complete allegiance, devotion, commitment, and obedience to Him.
We obey because we are disciples. Yes, obedience is expected for a professing Christian because obedience and Christianity should not be dichotomized regarding the Bible; however, we also obey because we know who we are following, and the One we are following will keep His Word, for He cannot deny Himself. We put our trust in Him. And while we are waiting for His return, as true followers, we wait in obedience.
