If you’ve been reading my blog you’ll know I’m blogging through Kyle Idleman’s book “Not a Fan.”  (You can catch up here.)

Kyle has taken us through several different scenarios depicting the difference between a fan and a follower of Jesus. Have they made you stop and think?

I know some certainly came uncomfortably close to hitting a nerve with me. So close that I would sometimes have to put the book down because it gave me a vague sense of unease. Was I like the fan? Or was I more like the follower?

Basically it boils down to this:  a follower wants a relationship with Jesus on His terms…a fan wants a relationship with Jesus on their terms.

So what are His terms?

First you have to believe!

That’s kind of a no brainer! John 3:16 pretty much has that covered: For God so loved the world He gave is only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Fans and followers alike believe in Jesus. But a fan will stop there. “I believe and that’s good enough…right?”

Followers take it one step further.

Luke 9:23 is the one step further:  If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Kyle is so right when he says that John 3:16 and Luke 9:23 must go together. There is no believing without following. And that is the difference between fans and followers. Followers understand those verses go together. Fans don’t.

Anyone means you.

Notice Jesus doesn’t say only people who were born a Jew. He doesn’t narrow it down to babies only born at 2:36 AM (I fall into that category). He doesn’t even narrow it down to people alive during his time on earth. No He said ANYONE…and that means EVERYONE.

If Jesus can take a man who had turned his back on his people to collect taxes for the Romans, He can take you. If Jesus can take me and my sinful past, He can take you. If Jesus can take a thief who is hanging on the cross next to Him, He can take you.

It doesn’t matter what your past is…it doesn’t matter how many things you’ve done wrong.

ANYONE means ANYONE…no matter what.

So what was your “anyone” moment? When did you turn from being a fan to a follower? If you’re not a follower what’s holding you back? Is there anything else on your heart today? Join the conversation below so we can all share in the blessing.

photo credit: Adam Foster | Codefor via photopin cc