Are You A Fan or Follower?

Are You a Fan or a Follower?
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, faced with a profound question: Are we merely fans of Jesus, or are we truly His followers? This distinction, though subtle, carries immense weight in our spiritual lives and our relationship with God.
As we approach the unofficial end of summer and the start of football season, it's an opportune time to reflect on our commitment to Christ. Just as sports have their dedicated fans and devoted players, our faith life can mirror these roles. But what does it truly mean to be a follower of Jesus rather than just an admirer?

The Gospel of Luke offers us a challenging perspective on this matter. In chapter 14, verses 25-33, Jesus speaks to a large crowd, delivering words that may initially shock us:
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

At first glance, these words seem harsh and contradictory to the loving message of Christ. However, we must delve deeper to understand the profound truth Jesus is conveying. He's not advocating for literal hatred, but rather emphasizing the level of commitment required to be His disciple.

In the Greek language, there are different words for love. While 'filio' represents friendship and 'eros' denotes romantic passion, 'agape' signifies an all-encompassing, sacrificial love – the kind of love Jesus has for each of us. This is the level of devotion He's calling us to have for Him – a love that surpasses all other attachments and even our own lives.
Jesus is challenging us to examine our priorities. Are we putting anything before our relationship with Him? Our families, our friends, our careers, or even our own desires? He's asking us to love Him with agape love, to be willing to lay down our lives, our wants, and our needs to place Him first.

This call to discipleship comes with a cost, and Jesus doesn't shy away from this reality. He uses two vivid examples to illustrate His point:

1. Building a tower: Before starting construction, one must calculate the cost to ensure completion. Otherwise, the unfinished project becomes a source of ridicule.
2. Going to war: A king must assess whether his army can defeat the opposing force. If not, he seeks terms of peace while the enemy is still far off.

These examples underscore the importance of counting the cost of following Jesus. It's not a decision to be made lightly or half-heartedly. True discipleship requires careful consideration and wholehearted commitment.

In our modern context, being a Christian isn't always easy. It's not a "bed of roses" but often comes with thorns along the way. In some parts of the world, professing faith in Christ can lead to persecution, loss of family, or even one's life. While we may not face such extreme circumstances, we are still called to place our relationship with Christ above all else.

This brings us back to our initial question: Are we fans or followers of Jesus? In the world of sports, a fan is defined as an enthusiastic admirer. Many people in churches today fit this description. They may display Christian symbols, attend services regularly, and participate in church activities. But is this enough?

To understand this further, let's look at two groups from Jesus' time: the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees' faith was often inherited, something they were born into rather than chose. Similarly, some modern Christians may find themselves acting like believers because of family tradition or societal expectations, without having truly fallen in love with Jesus.

The Pharisees, on the other hand, earned their faith through rigorous study and strict adherence to religious laws. Today, some may approach Christianity in a similar way, focusing on intellectual knowledge and outward behavior without allowing it to transform their hearts.

Both approaches fall short of true discipleship. Jesus wants more than inherited tradition or intellectual assent. He desires our whole hearts, a complete transformation that reflects His love in every aspect of our lives.

Billy Graham once estimated that 85% of churchgoers might not make it to heaven. While this statistic is alarming, it underscores the difference between being a fan and a follower. Many may have head knowledge of Jesus, but have not allowed Him to move from their heads to their hearts.

The Bible provides contrasting examples of responses to Jesus' call. Some made excuses, like the man who wanted to bury his father first. Others, like Matthew the tax collector, immediately left everything to follow Jesus when called.

So, where do we stand? Are we putting a fish emblem on our car, or are we allowing Christ to light up our hearts? Are we truly reborn, forsaking our past and changing our lives to follow Jesus, no matter what others do or say?

The challenge before us is clear: Don't be content with being an enthusiastic admirer or just hanging around as a friend. Instead, strive to be a sold-out, all-in, faithful follower of Christ. This journey may not be easy, but it promises a depth of relationship with God that surpasses all worldly attachments.

As we reflect on our faith, let's ask ourselves: Are we fans, or are we followers? Are we willing to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus, prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else? The choice is ours, and it's one that can transform not just our lives, but our eternal destiny.