Why Do People Follow The Way They Do?

Jesus had a discussion in Mathew 22.36-40 about the most important thing.  In this discussion, Jesus explained the most important thing is to love God with all of your heart.  Having said that— I often wonder why people follow God the way they do.  Sometimes half-hearted; others traditionally only the way they have for years; some with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

So…Why do people follow the way they do?

Let me suggest a familiar text that may reintroduce the answer to us.  That text is: Matthew 25.14-29.  This is one we have searched many times, but today we are looking for the meaning behind it more than the moving parts— the intent more than the action. First, we see Jesus explaining the kingdom using parables.  A parable parallel’s to a present or future reality. He is referring to the way we will give an account of our lives when He returns.  

To help with your personal understanding, let’s ask some needed questions to begin.  Question: Who is the “Master” in the text?  Answer: God.  Who are the “servants” in the text?  Answer: Us.  What is a “talent”? Answer: A measure of weight (measure of silver).  The text goes back and forth explaining the different weights and what happened when the Master returned.  These are the moving parts that most of the time we focus on.  Alternatively, in Matthew 25.25-26 it says— And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

This is the key!  We have two facts about this man:  He was fearful; and he was lazy.

• He admits his fear, but he doesn’t admit what is stated in 26—“slothful”— lazy! 
• Unlike the others who “brought” their talents back to their Lord… He instead said— “there thou hast that is thine”.  As if to say, ’It’s over there for you to go and get.’
• I wonder if that could be the reason some of us follow the way we do?  fearful and lazy maybe?

That leads us to the main verse of the passage, and why he was fearful and lazy.  Again in Matthew 25.24— Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

He misjudged the Master’s character.  

• He saw the Master as a cruel and ruthless opportunist.  (talent is measure of money)
• The Master even said— if you thought that was the way I worked then why didn’t you act accordingly?
• Instead the servant said the Master was “Hard” 
• It’s obvious this servant did not know the Master well. 
• The Master in the story is God—which is in-fact… Merciful!

This is the key to his fear and laziness. The key to our own following as well.  We have to know Him. How well we know Him determines our following.

• You may have had a bad mom or dad.  You may have been abused verbally, physically or emotionally… But God is a PERFECT parent.  
• Remember what Jesus said as He stood over Jerusalem looking upon it… 
• Matthew 23.37— O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
• That is the heart of God… to gather you and provide protection, love, security—even when we don’t deserve it… and we don’t.

Why do people follow the way they do?  Because of how they view the one they are following!

• Has He not been good to you?  
• Has He not been merciful and gracious?
• Has He not been faithful even when you haven’t been?

Do you think we can misjudge Him?  Misjudge what He is doing?  What His intent is, rather than focusing on our’s?

How well do you know Him?  It will determine the way you follow Him.