It’s one of the latest Christian fads. You see it on social media, church websites, and bumper stickers. There’s even a “program” behind it. So what is this latest fad and the slogan that accompanies it?
not a fan.
COMPLETELY. COMMITTED. FOLLOWER.
Or simply: “I’m a completely committed follower, not a fan!”
I have no doubt that those who believe these words are well intentioned. Nor do I question their faith.
I do, however, question this slogan and the arrogance it conveys. “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—not like that spiritual infant who is still being fed with spiritual milk, not like that individual who struggles against but occasionally gives in to his sinful desires, or even not like that lowly ‘fan’ of Yours. I am a completely committed follower.”
There’s no Jesus in the words “I’m a completely committed follower, not a fan!” No forgiveness. No mercy. No grace.
Only condescension. Arrogance. Haughtiness. Superiority. Conceit. Pride.
[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” [Luke 18:9-14]
The truth be told, my sinful pride loves to shine the spotlight on self and tout that I am a completely committed follower. My narcissistic self loves to look down on those whom I deem to be only fans. My fallen nature loves to stand before God and show Him my commitment, my dedication, my loyalty, my devotion, my piety, my steadfastness.
But that sinful pride, that narcissistic self, that fallen nature must die. And it must die daily. For only in dying to self—crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires—is one raised to new life in Jesus Christ. This is true of those who see themselves as completely committed followers and it is true of those who are seen as being only fans. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; cf. Romans 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8).
If you desire to boast, then join Saint Paul in his boasting. “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And again: “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).
The world around you—as well as your brothers and sisters in Christ—will be better served if you approach them not as being more committed than them (whatever that means), but as fellow sinners who live daily by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Point to His mercy, not your faithfulness. His grace, not your commitment. His forgiveness, not your piety.
That’s why the Christian daily confesses: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). We confess this daily because, by God’s grace, we believe His words and promises. “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Christianity is all about Jesus.
But that sinful pride, that narcissistic self, that fallen nature must die. And it must die daily. For only in dying to self—crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires—is one raised to new life in Jesus Christ. This is true of those who see themselves as completely committed followers and it is true of those who are seen as being only fans. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; cf. Romans 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8).
If you desire to boast, then join Saint Paul in his boasting. “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And again: “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).
The world around you—as well as your brothers and sisters in Christ—will be better served if you approach them not as being more committed than them (whatever that means), but as fellow sinners who live daily by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Point to His mercy, not your faithfulness. His grace, not your commitment. His forgiveness, not your piety.
That’s why the Christian daily confesses: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). We confess this daily because, by God’s grace, we believe His words and promises. “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Christianity is all about Jesus.
Christianity is all about His birth. His baptism. His life. His suffering. His death. His resurrection. His ascension.
Christianity is all about His Church. His Word. His Sacraments.
Christianity is all about His grace. His mercy. His forgiveness.
Christianity is all about His salvation. His redemption. His atonement.
All of this Jesus is for you! All of this Jesus gives to you!
That’s why I’m neither a fan nor a completely committed follower of fads and slogans and programs that exalt self instead of exalting Jesus. Give me Jesus. Only Jesus!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
