I've often felt part of the rejection of Messiah in the gospels wasn't always a denial of Yeshua's Messiahship but rather an unwillingness to follow Him. Everyone wants to enjoy the harvest, but few want to be workers. Like the young man in Matthew 19:16 who came to Yeshua seeking eternal life. But he wasn't willing to follow or obey Yeshua, yet he certainly seemed to trust Yeshua had the answers. That young man walked away without eternal life that day, and it wasn't a problem with belief --- it was his own rejection of what was required. Remember, "the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19) Belief alone doesn't make you a disciple any more than it would make a devil a disciple.

Many believe, but never take the next step of becoming disciples!

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity/anomos." Mattityahu 7:20-23

Those who are told to depart seemed to have believed in Him, but they weren't saved.

I can't help but think the separation of faith from obedience is a new teaching. It seems more logical that belief and obedience should always go hand in hand; ditto on making Him the L-rd of one's life. The idea of "how little can I do to still be saved" has always confused me. Further, note this translation ends with "iniquity" without saying what the actual sin of the people was .... yet the actual word in the greek is anomos, that is 'without torah'/'having no torah.' It seems the 'sin' in their life was failing to obey Torah. These folks accepted the salvation offer but did not take the next logical faith step of obedience -- of turning one's life over to following G-d's will. Seems they forgot Yeshua said "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Yochanan 14:15

"And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." Mattityahu 8:21

There is no denial here of Yeshua's authority or rank, just a "don't bother me now, I have other obligations, I'll follow you later." Nothing in this text indicates the man's father had died -- the man is actually saying "let me take care of my father and his business -- when he dies, then I will have time to follow you." I point this out since many misunderstand that Yeshua wouldn't wait for a funeral! That's not the case. Compare this man's "later I will find time to follow you" attitude to this verse: "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the flock of His hand. Today, if ye would but hearken to His voice!" Psalms 95:7

Today is the day -- the choice is now. Let's all "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk." Let's not be satisfied to only believe in Him, but to also follow Him.

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