As college and professional football seasons approach, experts analyze and predict who will win the NCAA National Championship and Superbowl. Loyal followers of a team stay loyal, no matter what happens. Fair-weather fans jump on board when they spot a winning team. Fans want to belong to a winning group with the sense of invincibility it brings. However, they become distraught and move on to other teams when their team loses, hoping to recapture that winning feeling.
Fans Verses Followers of Faith
I’ve observed a shift in churches from nurturing followers of Christ to creating fans of our Heavenly Father. The distinction lies because fans desire closeness to Jesus for the perks, but not if it demands anything from them. On the other hand, followers of Christ enthusiastically live out the teachings of the Bible in their daily lives, prioritizing Jesus and placing Him at the center regardless of the cost or outcome. Jesus Himself cautioned His disciples about those who followed Him for the benefits He offered.
26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” John 6:26-27 (NLT).
Choosing to Become Followers
To follow God, we must do more than just be fans. We need to live according to His Word. James, the Apostle, observed this in his time and wrote to the people of that era. And this message still applies to us today.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22-24 (NLT).
A Choice to Make
Can we confuse our knowledge of Jesus with intimacy with Him? Many believe so and often mistake knowing about Christ for having a genuine relationship with Him. Are we fans of Christ, seeking Him as a safety net, or are we true followers, ready to do whatever He asks of us? In this chaotic world, it is crucial to assess the true nature of our relationship with God. Our connection with Christ is what matters. When faced with challenges, let us not be like the superficial fans of Christ mentioned in the Bible. John 6:66 (NLT); “At this point, many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.”
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NLT).
Prayer to Become Followers
Oh, Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your boundless mercy and love in my life. I don’t want to be just a fan, but a true follower of you. Please reveal to me the areas in my life where I am not following you. Assist me in defining our relationship honestly and according to the Bible. I ask this in the name of Jesus, amen.
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Yvonne, thanks for this timely message. I can see what you are talking about with so many churches closing or having leadership failures. We do need to pray and stay steadfast in the Word so we can remain faithful and inspire others to do the sane.
Amen Barbara. Follower of Christ need to be in prayer and in the word daily. God bless.
I want to be a follower! Thanks, Yvonne.
Me too Debbie. Thanks and God bless.
I pray that we always follow God. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Thanks Melissa. Blessings on your day also.
Fans can be fickle. Followers are to be faithful. Thanks, Yvonne. God bless!
Thank you Nancy. So true. Blessings to you
Such truth here. Being is a fan is about feelings, but being a follower goes beyond how we feel.
Very much so Jessica. Our feelings are deceptive and Christ offer us truth and light and hope. Thank you and blessings
Very important message, Yvonne. It is easy to be drawn to Christ for His many blessings. But HE is the true prize and our response is to show our love toward Him through obedience. It may not be popular, but it is the truth. Jesus is worth it.
He is so worth it. That is why I work at being a follower instead of just a fan. Thank you Melissa and God blessings
Wonderful insight, Yvonne, thank you.
Thank you Priscilla. God bless you.
Thank you for this thought provoking message, Yvonne. This sentence particularly speaks to me. “Are we fans of Christ, seeking Him as a safety net, or are we true followers, ready to do whatever He asks of us?” Thank you for your prayer for us to be true followers.
Thank you Katherine. May we all become true followers. Blessings on your week
Powerful message, Yvonne. And sobering. I read a book years ago, “Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus” by Kyle Idleman and your article reminded me of his book. So I liked how you said, “The distinction lies because fans desire closeness to Jesus for the perks, but not if it demands anything from them.” Thanks for this needed message for the church today.
Thanks Karen. I will check out that book too because it is an important message. Our churches need to share such messages. Blessings