Who Really Follows Jesus?

“Most people don’t know the Bible all that well.”

That’s what John Fugelsang said.

And I agree.

I just finished his book, Separation of Church and Hate, and wow — he pretty much explained the craziness we see today.

Sides.

Everyone taking sides.

When frankly, if you follow Jesus, there’s really only one side.

The media wants you on one or the other. Even the so-called “middle of the road” demands its own definition. But Jesus didn’t ask for political allegiance. He asked for hearts, for lives, for love.

I named this article “Who Really Follows Jesus?” because that’s the real question.

Or maybe the better question is: Do you follow Jesus?

Because we have to ask hard questions about the white-washed, hate-filled rhetoric that’s dressed up as “biblical.”

We have watched scripture — and even the person of Jesus — get weaponized for political posturing, and it’s heartbreaking. It’s scary. It’s dangerous.

And it’s... dare I say … diabolical.

Reading Separation of Church and Hate reminded me that following Jesus isn’t about a voting bloc or a hashtag. It’s about radical humility, sacrificial love, and justice that lifts the lowly rather than crushes them.

I don’t agree with all of the points Fuselsang makes. I have my critiques based on my personal conviction that the Bible presents the infallible word of God and that all scripture is God-breathed. I don’t believe some of the Bible, I believe all of the Bible. There is, of course, nuance to that statement because the Bible is right — it’s people who read it “wrong.”

Though I am exhausted by the infighting of believers and embarrassed by hate-filled Christians playing with the name of Jesus, it all makes me pause and hold my own life to a better standard.

A few questions to ask yourself:

• Am I loving my neighbor, or am I defending my position? (Mark 12:31)

• Am I following Christ, or am I following a tribe? (Luke 9:23)

• Am I protecting the dignity of others, or am I denying their rights? (Micah 6:8)

• Am I seeing people as image-bearers, or am I dehumanizing them to make my point? (Genesis 1:27)

• Am I offering grace, or am I wielding shame? (Ephesians 4:32)

• Am I bringing peace, or am I intruding on someone’s peace and privacy? (Matthew 5:9)

• Am I welcoming the stranger, or am I building a wall around my comfort? (Hebrews 13:2)

• Am I lifting up truth, or am I twisting it to fit my narrative? (Ephesians 4:25)

• Am I confronting injustice, or am I excusing it because it benefits me? (Isaiah 1:17)

• Am I serving the least of these, or am I stepping over them on my way to power? (Matthew 25:40)

• Am I sacrificing for the sake of love, or am I demanding others sacrifice for my agenda? (John 15:13)

If you’re feeling the same tension, this book may give you language for what your heart already knows: the gospel is bigger than our labels.

You don’t have to read this book. But I do think you should read your Bible.

Because the real Jesus is bigger than our parties, our camps, and our opinions.

And our call is clearer than our politics — to love God and love people.

One God.

All people.