I’ve been reading a book titled “Not a fan: Becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus” by Kyle Idleman. The message in this book came at a really good time for me, and I know God planned it that way. It reminds me that there is a difference between being a fan of Jesus and being a true follower of Jesus.
Fans know a lot about the person or team of who they are a fan. But do they know them personally and have a relationship with them? No. To be a true follower of Jesus, we are supposed to know him personally. That is what God wants. He knows us because he created us. He wants us to know him intimately as well. We get to know him by reading his word, The Bible, and by spending time alone with him in worship and prayer.
Does a fan of a sports team get on the field and workout or play in the game with the team? No…they watch from the stands. Being a true follower of Jesus is not a spectator sport. He calls us to live like he lived and do the things he did. We are to be his hands and feet. He wants to change the world by living in us and working through us.
I will admit, there are times I am tempted to just be a fan. But I don’t want that. I want to be a true follower of Jesus. In “Not a fan” Idleman says we have to die daily to ourselves and take up our cross and follow Jesus. This is what Jesus said in the Bible. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24.
Are you a true follower…not just a fan?
Melissa
Great analogy!!
That is an awesome book! A copy of that found my husband and I in a funny way. We got in Frank’s truck to go volunteer at the food bank and there was this book in a zip lock bag on the windshield. It had a note attached obviously for someone else. Whoever left it put it on the wrong vehicle…or did they? We believe God directed them to put it on our truck even tho it was meant for someone else.