“Biblical belief is more than just an intellectual acceptance or a heartfelt acknowledgement; it is a commitment to follow. Following by definition requires more than mental assent, it calls for movement. … There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender.
There is no life without death. There is no believing without committing.”
~Excerpts from Chapter 2, “A Decision or a Commitment?”
There is no life without death. There is no believing without committing.”
~Excerpts from Chapter 2, “A Decision or a Commitment?”
When did you believe that Jesus was the only way of salvation? Did you choose to believe to receive all the free handouts? Or did you commit to follow Christ? These are the types of questions that Kyle Idleman asks his readers in this inspirational, convicting, and soul-probing book published by Zondervan in 2011.
Many of Christ’s followers—both in the first century and today—are actually fans; those who are trying to get something or simply observe, but not to take part in. So in this book, Idleman seeks to define and diagnosis fans versus followers by looking through the gospels at people who encountered Jesus and either chose to follow or walk away. He gives five tests diagnosing fandom, and then walks through the marks and evidence of what following Christ really looks like. Even though you may be a true follower of Jesus and not a fan, this book contains many timely reminders and challenged me in whether I was truly following my Lord as completely as He desires. A few of my favorite quotes include:
“No matter how much good you do, no matter how much you accomplish for the kingdom,
that’s not what makes you a true follower.”
~Excerpt from Chapter7, “The Relationship Defined”
“The phrase ‘deny himself’ isn’t just the idea of saying no to yourself—or even resisting yourself. The idea here is that you do not even acknowledge your own existence. …
When you call Jesus ‘Lord,’ you aren’t saying, ‘He’s the teacher—and I’m the student.’
You are saying, ‘He’s the master and I am the slave.’ That’s what is means to deny yourself.”
~Excerpts from Chapter 10, “Deny—A Total Surrender”
“This idea of following the rabbi closely is captured in a Jewish saying that has become popular in Christian circles: ‘May you be covered in his dust.’ The most literal way to define a ‘Follower of Jesus’ is
‘Someone who goes where Jesus goes.’ … Ultimately if you follow Jesus ‘wherever,’
you won’t just end up covered in his dust, you will end up covered in his blood.”
~Excerpts from Chapter 12, “Wherever. What About There?”
that’s not what makes you a true follower.”
~Excerpt from Chapter7, “The Relationship Defined”
“The phrase ‘deny himself’ isn’t just the idea of saying no to yourself—or even resisting yourself. The idea here is that you do not even acknowledge your own existence. …
When you call Jesus ‘Lord,’ you aren’t saying, ‘He’s the teacher—and I’m the student.’
You are saying, ‘He’s the master and I am the slave.’ That’s what is means to deny yourself.”
~Excerpts from Chapter 10, “Deny—A Total Surrender”
“This idea of following the rabbi closely is captured in a Jewish saying that has become popular in Christian circles: ‘May you be covered in his dust.’ The most literal way to define a ‘Follower of Jesus’ is
‘Someone who goes where Jesus goes.’ … Ultimately if you follow Jesus ‘wherever,’
you won’t just end up covered in his dust, you will end up covered in his blood.”
~Excerpts from Chapter 12, “Wherever. What About There?”
The American church is filled with nominal Christians or fans of Jesus, but true followers—those completely surrendered and willing to follow Christ’s footsteps anywhere—are few and far in between. Following Jesus has never been easy or comfortable, but requires self-denial, dying daily, and sacrifice. Nevertheless, this is the only path that leads to eternal life and the freedom Jesus promises. Therefore, let us join Kyle Idleman in declaring: “I am not a fan.”
Important note: This book contains various testimonies and vignettes from people other than the author, and some of these are rather graphic when speaking about the before-Christ days. Therefore, I would highly advise parental preview for readers under 18.