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Christian Short StoriesAre You a Fan or Atic? George writes: "I am retired, for the fourth time, and live with my wife in Westbrook, Maine. I retired officially in October of 1999, and after two years of relaxation(???) I went back to work and worked three more jobs at a total of ten more years retiring last January. We are Maineiacs by birth and Christian by Grace. Jesus is Lord of All."
Seeing that vehicle made me wonder, what do people think when they see that person coming down the street, his car covered in football decals and murals. He is a football fan, a man who loves his team. Now take that same car, put one bumper sticker on the rear bumper, one of those you have to get real close to read, 'I Love Jesus'. What would they say about that driver now? He's a religious fanatic, one of those Jesus Freaks most likely. How many times have you watched a football game on television and when the camera pans the audience you see shirtless men with one half of their bodies, including faces, painted one color and the other half painted another color. Hold on, those men are just fans. They are rooting for their team to win, waving their big sponge number one finger in the air, hooting and hollering until they leave the stadium hoarse and nearly speechless. Now go to church Sunday morning and the deacon in the rear of the church says Amen when the pastor makes a point in his message that is honoring the creator of this universe, and what does that football fan think? That deacon is a religious fanatic, a real nutcase. Don't you remember, only yesterday you painted your body two colors, including your face, you screamed and hollered until only a squeak emanated from your vocal chords, but the deacon is a religious fanatic? The word Fan is short for Fanatic, but the inference is quite different as you can see. According to society it is all right to be a fan, but not a fanatic. It is okay to hold up a sports figure as a role model, one who has admittedly cheated on his spouse, has taken steroids to enhance his game, and even smoked dope, but anyone who says Jesus is his or her role model, they are labeled a religious fanatic, a screwball, a nut. When you appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ it isn't going to be how much you know about any sports game or hero, but do you know Him, the one who died for you? There isn't a sports figure in the history of any sport who can save you. Next time you go to church try getting excited for Jesus. Say amen, let the pastor know you enjoy his message, and above all worship, worship, worship and praise, praise, praise the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for you. Remember Him, make the Lord your role model. You wouldn't be embarrassed if someone called you a sports fanatic, so neither should you be ashamed if someone calls you a religious fanatic. Fall in love with Jesus your redeemer, trust Him, not a sports figure, for your salvation. Cheer for Jesus. Get excited for the Lord, it is all right to shout Amen once in a while, or when you want to. If you were at someone's house and they were cheering for a different team than your team, you would probably argue the finer points of your players and their prowess, you would stand up for your team against all odds. Now if, you were at that same person's house and he or she was discussing religion and they were members of a cult. Would you stand up for Jesus if they were to berate Him, or make heretical statements about His deity? Or would you let them use the creator of this universe for a door mat? The choice is yours. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss, Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss: From vict'ry unto vict'ry, His army shall He lead, Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. That old hymn says it all. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16) If you can, with Paul, say that, then you must be a fan of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not let people intimidate you, let them know that it is rather better to know Jesus and praise His name, than to spend your 'weekends' praising some sports hero who you wouldn't trust with your own daughter. God Bless your day my friends...Remember Jesus is still Lord! (© 2012 George E. Davis – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.) |
