Anyone who knows me knows that I love baseball.

So, I’ve been watching the World Series even though my team’s not in it this year; which is why I’m really surprised when fans of the teams that are playing don’t watch.

The other day I came across a man who was wearing a Houston Astros hat, so I said something to him about the latest game in the Series.  He said he didn’t see it.  Then he said he really hadn’t been watching.  I said, “Well, you’ll want to watch the next game since Verlander is pitching.”  And he said, “Oh, is it his turn?  He’s good.”

What?!

How can you identify yourself as a fan but not follow the team?

Since this man was wearing an Astros hat, proclaiming himself to be an Astros fan, I assumed that he knew certain information about the team and did the basic things a fan does.

But no.

So, is he really a fan?

In John 14:15 Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

In Matthew 7:20-21, when asked about the difference between true and false prophets, Jesus said, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

And in John 13:35 Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

It’s not enough to say you love Jesus and it’s not enough to proclaim yourself to be a Christian.

Just as I could tell that the man in the Astros hat wasn’t a true fan, people can tell whether or not you’re a true follower of Christ.