overcomerstonewbeginnings

I think you're missing my point.
Following others has gotten a bad rap because of false prophets.

We are commanded to "be ye Holy for I am Holy says the Lord".
In order to be imitators of Christ, we must obey the commandments
and strive to keep them.

By keeping the commandments, people can count on us to do the
right thing, if we do not keep them, then people cannot count on
us to do the right thing.

The two are in fact intertwined. Part of the same rope just a
different strand. " a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV

Some focus on faith alone.
    "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of
     yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man
      should boast." Eph 2:8,9  KJV
Some focus on works alone.
    "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that
    they may have right to the tree of life, and may
    enter in through the gates into the city. "    Rev 22:14 KJV
Some focus on relationship alone.
   "But the hour cometh , and now is , when the true
    worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in
    truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." John 4:23 KJV

None of these in and of themselves is correct in regards
to God's plan of salvation. All three are twisted around
each other like that of three cords twisted to form a rope.
One is not without the other.

When you understand to combine all three, then you understand
that a good relationship with God cannot exist without the keeping
of His commandments. The keeping of His commandments is not
possible without the faith that gives you the motivation to do His
will. In doing His will, you enter into a proper relationship with Him.
This relationship is a threefold cord that is not quickly broken.

Scott A. Tovey

Ah you make points Scott!  But you kinda of switched topic there (and I will reread later...got to go to work right now).

You started with following others and now we are talking about commands.  I absolutely agree we are to follow His commands.

We are also told to be imitators.  But just like a child who should and does imitate their parents...they are still expected to grow into a person of their own who imitates Christ.