Fan or Follower

No doubt, the 2018 Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles have a large following. They spend money on season tickets, fervently rally for them at games, and talk about them, praise, and promote them at every turn. When the Eagles lose a football game, the true followers—the dyed-in-the-wool ones—are devastated. Their whole lives and identity hang in the balance of their beloved team. There are others, though, who are merely fair weather friends, who glom on only when the team is winning.

In the Lord’s time on earth, when Jesus invited Peter and Paul and the rest of the disciples to be his followers, they went. They gave up their plans and laid them aside to follow Jesus—literally and figuratively. Would you have been one of them?

Today, there are many who claim the name of Christianity. Of course, I’m a Christian, they say. I go to church! Not being a Jew, a Hindu, or a Muslim… Christianity is the demographic some claim for lack of any other. But going to church does not a Christian necessarily make. When someone is a true follower of Christianity, he aligns his will to the one he’s following. Not merely jumping on the bandwagon of fandom, true followers abide through thick and thin, no matter the tide or season. They lay down their lives, as many have, for the sake of the Lord and the Gospel.

In Matthew 7: 21-23, the Lord said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven…  Did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.”