Living the Doctrine: Stop Being a Passive Follower and Transform the World

Before TikTok, before YouTube, before anyone even dreamed of “going viral,” Jesus went viral. Buddha went viral. Muhammad went viral. Their teachings spread like wildfire—not because people clapped politely, but because they lived them and multiplied them.

Or worse, “Yep, that hits my spouse/child/neighbor”—like we’re sending secret spiritual Morse code. Some of us clap or applaud just to signal loyalty, or to make ourselves look good in front of others. Rarely does it mean: “I am internalizing this, I am multiplying this, I will live it.”

Let’s be honest: some people treat religious gatherings like a drive-thru coffee shop. “I’ll take my weekly shot of holiness, hold the commitment, please.” And don’t forget the leaderboard—“Silent Clapper #47” reporting for duty. Bonus points if your nods are noticed by your spouse, child, or neighbor three rows over.

This isn’t a problem with religion. It’s a problem with the followers. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists—pick your label—the pattern is the same: passive, consuming, spiritual junkies refueling their emptiness week after week. Movements grow mostly by birthright or ritual, not transformation.

When Jesus said “church” (Greek: ekklesia), he didn’t mean a building. He meant an assembly of people called out for a purpose. Buddha didn’t mean meditation halls. Muhammad didn’t mean Friday sermons. They meant people who internalize the teaching, live it, and pass it on. That’s how doctrines go viral—through lives, not claps.

Mother Teresa: Living the Doctrine Universally

Take Mother Teresa. She got the doctrine right. She didn’t just preach; she lived it. She converted an abandoned Hindu temple into the Kalighat Home for the Dying, free for the poor, and renamed it Nirmal Hriday—the Home of the Pure Heart. Inside, she let everyone follow their own faith. Hindus received water from the Ganges. Muslims read the Quran. Catholics received last rites. She didn’t pick favorites. She didn’t care about labels. Her message was universal: serve, love, transform. She went viral—not online, but in lives.

From Silent Clapper to True Disciple: The Judas Reality Check

Here’s the punch: If you call yourself a disciple of any movement, you are now part of a chain that started long before you. Jesus had twelve disciples. Buddha had followers. Muhammad had companions. And now… it’s your turn. Are you living it? Teaching it? Transforming anyone? Or are you the 13th disciple—who might only just barely outrank Judas Iscariot?

Because let’s be honest: for most of his life as a disciple, Judas was faithful. He followed Jesus. He witnessed miracles. He served the ministry. It was only at the very last moment, when the devil entered him at the critical hour, that his name earned a negative reputation. That’s why when we say “many of us might not even beat Judas in discipleship,” we really mean it. Even those who seem faithful can fail to internalize and multiply the teaching when it counts the most.

The Real Test: Funeral Edition

Here’s the real test: if you disappeared tomorrow, would anyone stand up at your funeral and say, “I was spiritually transformed by this person. This was truly a man—or woman—of God”? Or would people just remember the polite claps in the corner, the empty nods, and nothing else?

Let’s be honest: most of us wouldn’t even rank above “Silent Clapper #Judas.” We’re spiritually lazy, waiting for a top-up, never actually writing, teaching, or multiplying the truth. We’re like batteries plugged into sermons, never becoming the device that runs the world. And belief doesn’t matter. Even if you are an atheist and have solid reasons for it, tell us. Let’s move towards and informed conclusion.

Stop Treating Religion Like a Fuel Station

The doctrine was never meant to sit in a building. It was meant to live in you, and through you, go viral. So let’s stop being clap and nod machines. Let’s start being the movement. Write. Teach. Transform. Multiply. Live the doctrine universally, like Mother Teresa, who served without discriminating and let each person follow their faith.

Make your life a nuclear reaction of goodness—the world isn’t waiting for your applause. It’s waiting for your life.

Bonus Thought: if your spiritual highlight reel is nothing more than applause points, “amen” streaks, or Instagram posts from last Sunday, it’s time to unplug and actually be the sermon.