Fan or Follower?

I don't really have direction today but here are some short ramblings...

So I was thinking about relationships and how girls will almost always change their opinions on things when a guy comes into the picture. For example, say this girl is dating a Georgia Bulldogs fan. Naturally, she's a Georgia Bulldogs fan. Even when they break up, she's still a dawgs fan. But a few months later, here comes a super hottie who happens to be a Georgia Tech fan. This is a make it or break it kinda thing. What do you think she does?

She jumps ship. She joins the yellow jackets. Typical, right?

And then I got to thinking about our faith, and how so many times we do that to God. When we're with Christian friends, or our youth group, or other church people it's so easy to be bold about our faith. To be a "fan" of Jesus. But the minute we step into a secular situation, we hide everything "Jesus" that we have. We conform to fit in. We don't want to have to defend our faith because we really, truly don't believe in it.

That's the sad reality. 

Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Following Jesus is a daily commitment. Not a one time prayer. It's a burning desire, something that has to be continually sacrificed over and over. Saying a prayer doesn't take away your sinful nature. You will continue to have to make a conscious decision every single day to give your life back to the One who created you and gave His life for you.

James 2:20-24 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

James tells us that faith apart from works is useless. We've grown up hearing that works alone cannot get us into Heaven. That is true. The two together, faith and works, show the true heart condition of a Christian. It's not about the things you do, but the reason you do them and the attitude you do them with. A radically abandoned follower will be willing to do anything, say anything, and go anywhere for his Savior.

There are too many fans of Jesus and not enough followers.

Which one are you?