Fearlessly Courageous

Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
6 16 2025

Audio Version

Are you following God’s Principles or Jesus Personally?

“Following Jesus versus following a principle” really gets to the heart of what makes our faith and behavior explainable. It’s the difference between a living relationship and a moral framework. Let me explain. I grew up in Catholic schools all the way through high school, including 3 years living at a Salesian boarding school. I wanted to be a priest even back then.  I was an altar boy. I studied catechism. I was raised by priests and nuns. In fact,  I knew the principles of Catholicism. The rules, the ceremonies, the traditions. Novenas and weekly confession. I see God had a hand on me even back then. But I must say they have the best foundational truths about the basic tenets of our faith, more than any other religion that I have found, even though I disagree with much.  I also need to say that I know many devout Catholics who have a relationship with Jesus. But I never did during those years. I never had a relationship. It wasn’t personal. It was a life of doing better and earning my way to heaven. Getting out of purgatory. But honestly, I was pretty content.  I followed the commands and the general principles of Catholicism, and I learned a lot of the doctrines and the foundation of my faith. But still, Jesus was never a person to me. It wasn’t personal. He was more of an abstract wish, or distant deity. The more I did for the church and you could say for God, the more I felt in control of my own Salvation, and that he was pleased with me leading and directing my own willful attempts to be worthy.  Honesty, I was content in my faith.

And that’s what I’d like to talk about today the idea of following a principal versus following the person of Christ. I honestly believe that when we reach the judgment seat, the people that live by the principles were the ones that he said, “I never knew you,” Matt 7:23, he means, “I don’t recognize you as my disciple, as my follower…”You who work iniquity”, meaning lawbreaker or evildoer. 
In essence, you are a spiritual stranger to me.

I had a heavy conversation with a loved on about their faith.  I said,  I see you take notes on Sunday faithfully;  do you even go over them as a filter of how they relate to your daily living?  (They said, No.  But they said they prayed almost every day for something or someone).  I said, asking God for something?  (Yes).   Do you ever speak with your significant other about these sermons or encourage each other in God outside of Church?  (No, not really).  I asked Why?  (I don’t know.) I asked them to define salvation. ( I believe God died for me and was raised from the dead).  I said, and invite him to be Lord of your Life?  (Yes).  IS HE?  (I don’t know.)  I said, you are either leading someone closer to god, or leading them away by your actions or you are neutral.  Two of them are doing nothing to honor God and you say you’re not doing the first.  Can you honestly say that either of you has made Jesus Lord of your life and put him first above all others?  Silence…. (I guess not). Do you think God will let that person into heaven?  I say these things to you because I love you, and I see you going through the motions but I don’t see you growing in Christ at all!

I just finished a 5 week online class offered to young believers and those recently baptized.  I do this after each baptism our church does quarterly because I believe the months following that public declaration of their faith, will lay the foundation that will solidify their faith and keep them grounded in the trials that lie ahead. But that is not the focus of this article.  I want to address getting to know God personally…not the Godly Principles too many young Christians get caught up in  and often times never find there way out of. Sunday service alone cannot afford what they need to grow and protect their faith.

John distinguishes between “little children,” “fathers,” and “young men” (1 John 2:12–14). What does this mean? Spiritually the newest infant in Christ knows God, but not very well. As this baby grows in grace, he or she will progress toward maturity and, in doing so, will come to know God better and better. Or they will fall away like the parable of the seed in Matt 13: 1-23 – This parable describes a seed being sown and growing without the sower understanding how it happens. “Some seeds fall on the path and are eaten by birds, others fall on rocky ground and wither, others are choked by thorns, and some fall on good soil and yield a harvest.”  Those seeds eaten by birds, or those on rocky ground or those choked by weeds…don’t make it.  I pray you are listening.  This may be a lesson may be for you or for you to share with a younger believer because you are a disciple of Jesus and have a calling and command to give your faith away. Question:  Are you growing in God or is yours a faith of principles and spiritual habits that make us feel like were saved when we may not be.

Definition of God’s Principles: 

They are known as divine principles or fundamental truths, and are foundational beliefs and teachings about God’s nature, character, and relationship with humanity.  They represent core beliefs ABOUT God, such as God’s existence, unity, omnipotence, and omniscience. They do give us guidance, on how to live and honor Christ, emphasizing principles like love, justice, compassion, and righteousness.  For example, “The principle of mercy: Reflects God’s mercy. The principle of love: Reflects God’s love. ETC. ”.

Looking practically, these principles within Christianity include mercy, love, increase (grace), faith, authority, power, and unity. They are meant to be lived out by believers through actions like forgiveness, compassion, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. 

What could possibly be wrong with following  these fundamental truths and principles?

.”Following Jesus

Here is the scary part.  Here is what’s happening to much of Christianity.  It’s about pursuing a person, not just a set of rules. It’s relational. It’s about walking with him and trusting him, listening to his voice, being led by his spirit and modeling your life after his life.   Jesus said in Matthew 4:19 – follow me”.   John 14:6 says “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. Do you recall the zeal of a new convert to Christ but over time they grow distant and disillusioned?  Because they do not have the foundation or roots of faith, gained by knowing his word to keep them grounded.  If you think only young Christians can have that happen, you fool yourself.  1 Cor 10:12  says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

“While outward conformity to some moral principles that overlap with Christian values might be possible without a personal relationship with Christ, the core truth is that true spiritual life and salvation are dependent on that personal relationship with Jesus!  Salvation is NOT merely following religious rules and principles. Jesus explicitly states that those who claim to know him but do not have a personal relationship WILL NOT enter the kingdom of heaven.  True obedience and pleasing God come from a heart that has turned to the Lord, seeking to follow His will out of love, not just adhering to external rules and principles. 

Can non-Christians follow Christian principles?

This is where many young Christians get lost.  I say young…So if a person is saved and studies God’s word for a year, but then just maintains it by just going to Chruch for the next 30 yrs, how deep are they in their faith.  1 year or 31 years?  I would argue they are young and have not grown as Jesus has told us to do.   Look, that neighbor or co worker may be following God’s principles as they are good and can be a part of living a morally upright life. However, from a Biblical perspective, it is not a substitute for the transformative experience and the redemptive power of a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus Christ for salvation and spiritual fulfillment. 

Let me be frank:   The PERSON of Christ is different from the PRINCIPLE of Christ. When you receive the person of Christ, you are guaranteed eternal life in heaven, but on earth, you must apply His principles to increase and prosper in all things.  There is a monumental and eternal difference.

John 15 says, “You are not just adhering to His teachings—you are abiding in Him”. You can’t separate the truth from the person. It’s daily dependence. He becomes your Shepherd, your Savior, your friend, and your King. He is who you put on first thing every day out of hunger for Jesus.

What’s the Difference?  “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” — John 5:39  I pray you are listening.

Why It Matters

You can do all the right things for the wrong reasons—but only when you follow Jesus can your heart, motives, and actions truly be transformed.

• A principle might teach you how to love,
• but Jesus is love (1 John 4:8).
• A principle might tell you to forgive,
• but Jesus shows you how—even from the cross.

Principles are good. But without the Person of Jesus, they lack power.
Follow the Person—and He will shape the principles in you.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27

Lord I am believing that June is the month of my restoration  In  _______________ and _____________ (please name them.) June will be a month of taking back what Satan has stolen, it will be a month of restoration of what the canker worm has eaten and taken away.  Financially, relationally,  we declare June is our month  of restoration of the glory of the lord in our lives, which was scattered.  

What we lost will come back in his blessings, and his beauty, and what he has said concerning us.  We pull down every stronghold that has stunted the path of God’s blessings.  Lord, forgive me for being so lukewarm in my battles with the enemy.  Forgive me for not taking Sunday’s high ground before now.  But Lord, today is the day we have drawn a line in the spirit.  No More Satan!  Take your hands off of my life,  In ___________ and __________  I take back the authority you have stolen from me, and I proclaim the victory of Sunday.  Of your promises to bless me, my family, and my health and finances.  When you are with me, Lord, NO ONE can stand against me. 

So, Lord, receive the prayers and prophetic words of your scripture that June is our month of taking back the high ground in these areas.  June will be our Sunday of believing your blessings are for us, and your protection is upon us to restore what was stolen.  In Jesus’ Name.

If you would like to pass this lesson and future devotions to someone, send them this Signup link:http://eepurl.com/i_nlb2  My website to view past devotions is https://fearlesslycourageous.com.

Cornerstone  Hill Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izrk-erhDdk&list=RDizrk-erhDdk&start_radio=1

We’d love to hear how the Fearlessly Courageous ministry has touched your life or the life of someone close to you. Please take a moment to share your story with us at Dennis@Fearlesslycourageous.com —whether it’s a moment of clarity, comfort, or unexpected blessing you’ve experienced through this ministry.  Blessings are not just about the biggest breakthroughs.  Let’s not ignore or not praise God for the smaller blessings we should be praising God for every day.  Your testimony could inspire others and help us understand the impact we’re making in our Fearlessly Courageous community.

Prayer Requests

I understand that many of you face personal challenges as we navigate these prophetic times together.
I want you to know that we genuinely care about what you’re experiencing. If you have a prayer need, please send it to Dennis@Fearlesslycourageous.com. Either I or someone from our prayer team will personally lift your request before the Lord.
Remember, you’re not walking through these difficult days alone. We’re standing with you in faith, believing that God hears and answers prayer.