Traveler or Follower?

Luke 14:25-34

Yesterday, Pastor Aaron drove it home with his message "Traveler or Follower." It's funny how some information can shock you for a moment but once processed you really already knew it was true. That's how I felt about the George Barna statistic he shared. The report showed that approximately 82% of American's claim to be Christians. Barna then broke that into 2 groups; Committed Christians 22%, and Casual Christians 60% (stats may be a little off - just like my memory). Committed Christians are those who are wholeheartedly commited to God, His commands, His Church, and His values. Casual Christians are committed to all those things, as long as it's convenient. The minute it's not convenient, they bolt on Christian values and do whatever they want yet still claim to be a Christian.

This is probably the most frustrating thing to me. As a pastor, how am I supposed to lead an individual, a group, a church toward God's plans when 75% of the group on average (based on the stat) is going to take off when it's no longer convenient? Either we have to become followers or we have to stop lying and just admit we aren't Christians at all!!!! There is no such thing as a part-time Christian. This doesn't mean we will live our lives perfect. But it does mean we live our lives committed! Instead of planning to bail on our faith, we plan to stay committed to it and all that's required of it. If all a Christian does is attend a weekly service, then that's not Christianity. God's Word shows us he requires much more of us than that. I go to Starbucks 3 or 4 times a week. So if my identity is based on attending something, then I'm a Starbuckian.

Jesus tells us that to be a follower takes an intentional decision to lay everything at his feet and make him the priority. It simply means that we love him more than anything. And that love is expressed in everything we do, say, how we act, and how we live! I encourage you to do exactly what Jesus taught us to do. Take up your cross and follow him!