I think this is the main question that separates the church today. Some churches actually preach that you do not.
Jas 2:19; You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Jas 2:20; But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
What separates us from the demons if all we do "is believe".
Matt 7:22; "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Matt 7:23; "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
What separates us from these people if we are still practicing sin?
Matt 28:19; "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Matt 28:20; teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
When Jesus gives the great commission, He says "make disciples" out in all the nations. He teach to "teach them" to not only hear what I
said, but to "observe" (do) all the things I said to do. A lot of people take part of this verse and say "He is with me always, no matter what".
But it says He is with those who are out making disciples of the nations and teaching them what Jesus said.
Matt 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.
Matt 7:25; "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.
Matt 7:26; "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.
Matt 7:27; "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall."
Some of the spiritual temples we are building up, aren't all made of "living stones". (1 Pet 2:5; ) but appear to be made of sand.
What separates the houses built on stones from the houses built on the sand above?
Rom 2:13; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Jas 1:22; But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
1 Jn 1:6; If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
Jesus said "follow me" (over a dozen times) Mark 4:9; Matt 8:22; Matt 9:9; Matt 10:38; Matt 16:24; Matt 19:21; Mark 1:17;
Mark 2:14; Mark 8:34; Mark 10:21; Luke 5:27; Luke 9:23; Luke 9:59; Luke 18:22; John 12:26; John 21:19; etc... )
In fact anyone who does not take up his cross ... "and" ... follow Jesus... is not worthy of Jesus. Matt 10:38;
Jesus says His sheep... "follow" Him. John 10:4; John 10:27; Some turn aside to follow others ( 1 Tim 5:15; )
Have you ever played "follow the leader". It's a little different from "watch the leader" or even "listen to the leader".
When leader walks, you walk. When he runs, you run, When he jumps, you jump. When he skips you skip, When he sits you sit.
When you are following the leader, you do what they do. You live like He lived.
A when shepherd leads sheep, some of the sheep don't like to follow. Some sheep go astray. Matt 18:12; Isa 53:6; Jer 50:6;
But it is only the sheep who "follow" the good shepherd besides the still waters and into green pastures who are protected
by His rod and His staff. There are many who claim to be sheep who are only following what they want to do.
Luke 6:46; "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?