Dangers of Casual Following of Jesus in the Gospels
Dangers of Casual Following of Jesus in the Gospels
The Gospels warn that following Jesus is not without its risks and challenges. Jesus himself stated that his followers would face persecution and hardship, saying "anyone who does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me" [11]. This call to discipleship involves more than intellectual assent; it requires a willingness to forgo life's normal comforts and face potential dangers [10].
The apostle Paul's experiences illustrate the dangers of following Jesus. He faced numerous perils, including "dangers on rivers, dangers from outlaws, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the town, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers" [2]. Paul's words to the Corinthians echo this sentiment, highlighting the risks he faced "every hour" [3, 4].
One of the primary dangers of casual following is the risk of apostasy. Jesus warned that those who are not rooted in their faith may fall away when faced with persecution or hardship [7]. The biblical account of Numbers 32:15 serves as a warning that turning away from following God can have severe consequences, leaving people in the wilderness and causing destruction [5].
The New Testament also highlights the danger of false teaching and the importance of confessing Christ. Paul warns against those who might "proclaim a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed" [1]. Confessing Christ is a test of being a true saint and is necessary for salvation [6].
The early Christian community faced numerous challenges, including strife and contention. Paul lists "strife" as a work of the flesh, indicating that it is contrary to the Spirit's work [9]. The danger of being ensnared by alliances with the enemies of God is also present, as it can lead to idolatry and provoke God's anger [8].
The biblical warnings against casual following of Jesus emphasize the need for commitment and perseverance. As Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26). This call to radical discipleship is not to be taken lightly, and those who follow Jesus must be prepared to face the challenges and dangers that come with it.
The consequences of not heeding Jesus' call are dire. Refusing to follow Jesus would have disastrous consequences, as seen in the warning given in Acts 3:23 [12]. The biblical account serves as a warning to those who would casually follow Jesus, emphasizing the need for a deep and abiding commitment to him.
Sources
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 11:4 (BSB) — For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 11:26 (BBE) — In frequent travels, in dangers on rivers, in dangers from outlaws, in dangers from my countrymen, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the town, in dangers in the waste land, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brothers;”
- 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 15:30 (NASB) — Why are we also in danger every hour?”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 15:30 (ASV) — why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?”
- Numbers “Numbers 32:15 (BSB) — For if you turn away from following Him, He will once again leave this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.””
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Offence — Occasions of, must arrive -- Mt 18:7. Occasions of, forbidden -- 1Co 10:32; 2Co 6:3. Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors -- Mt 13:21; 24:10; 26:31. The wicked take, at The low station of Christ. -- Isa 53:1-3; Mt 13:54-57. Christ, as the corner-stone. -- Isa 8:14; Ro 9:33; 1Pe 2:8. Christ, as the bread of life. -- Joh 6:58-61. Christ crucified. -- 1Co 1:23; Ga 5:11. The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 9:32. The necessity of inward purity. -- Mt 15:11,12. Blessedness of not taking, at Christ -- Mt 11:6. Saints warned against taking -- Joh 16:1. Saints ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God — Forbidden -- Ex 23:32; 34:12; De 7:2,3; 13:6,8; Jos 23:6,7; Jdj 2:2; Ezr 9:12; Pr 1:10,15; 2Co 6:14-17; Eph 5:11. Lead to idolatry -- Ex 34:15,16; Nu 25:1-8; De 7:4; Jdj 3:5-7; Re 2:20. Have led to murder and human sacrifice -- Ps 106:37,38. Provoke the anger of God -- De 7:4; 31:16,17; 2Ch 19:2; Ezr 9:13,14; Ps 106:29,40; Isa 2:6. Provoke God to leave mean to reap the fruits of them -- Jos 23:12,13; Jdj 2:1-3. Are ensnaring -- Ex 23:33; Nu 25:18; De 12:30; 13:6; Ps 106:36. Are enslaved -- 2Pe 2:18,19. Are defiling -- Ez”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:20: 8:20 Following Jesus is not easy; it involves more than intellectual mastery. Following Jesus entails being willing to forgo life’s normal comforts.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 16:23: Then said Jesus unto his disciples,.... Knowing that they had all imbibed the same notion of a temporal kingdom, and were in expectation of worldly riches, honour, and pleasure; he took this opportunity of preaching the doctrine of the cross to them, and of letting them know, that they must prepare for persecutions, sufferings, and death; which they must expect to endure, as well as he, if they would be his disciples: if any man will come after me: that is, be a disciple and follower of him, it being usual for the master to go before, and the disciple to follow af”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 3:23: 3:23 Refusing to heed Jesus, God’s final Prophet, would have disastrous consequences (John 3:16, 17, 36).”