I had never thought about it before, but when I read the excerpt below, it made me really stop and evaluate my heart.
Am I a follower of Jesus or just a fan?
What's the difference, you ask? Well, Kevin Idleman makes an interesting and compelling distinction. I shudder at the idea of being only a fan.
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“It may seem that there are many followers of Jesus, but if they were honestly to define the relationship they have with him I am not sure it would be accurate to describe them as followers. It seems to me that there is a more suitable word to describe them.
They are not followers of Jesus. They are fans of Jesus.
Here is the most basic definition of fan in the dictionary: “An enthusiastic admirer.”
It’s the guy who goes to the football game with no shirt and a painted chest. He sits in the stands and cheers for his team. He’s got a signed jersey hanging on his wall at home and multiple bumper stickers on the back of his car.
But he’s never in the game.
He never breaks a sweat or takes a hard hit in the open field.
He knows all about the players...but he doesn't know the players.
He yells and cheers, but nothing is really required of him.
There is no sacrifice he has to make....
And I think Jesus has a lot of fans these days....But [He] was never interested in having fans. When He defines what kind of relationship He wants, “Enthusiastic Admirer” isn't an option. My concern is that many of our churches in America have gone from being sanctuaries to becoming stadiums. And every week all the fans come to the stadium where they cheer for Jesus but have no interest in truly following Him....
They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them.”
(Excerpt from Not a Fan by Kevin Idleman).
Are you a fan or a follower?
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