“To support implies to hold accountable. Otherwise, one is not a supporter, only a fan.”

I remember a saying from the United States. “My Country, right or wrong… My Country.”

I always hated hated hated that expression. With further thought it occurs to me that it really depends on what is meant.

Interpretation #1:  I love my country and I will go along with whatever my country does unconditionally.

Interpretation #2:  I love my country and I care enough for it to challenge it when it does wrong.

Interpretation #1 describes a FAN. A fan, from “fanatic,” suggests someone who loves their country, or team, or community, and is uncritical about what it does. One might say that the love is unconditional. This sounds nice (even Christian) but it is not. Real love seeks the best in the other, and that means a willingness to confront and encourage for good. But the type of love here with Interpretation #1 is not real love. One is not seeking the best, one identifying with another… as a fanatic.

Interpretation #2 describes a true SUPPORTER. A supporter, one who provides support, suggests someone who loves their country, or team, or community or other and but who demonstrates that care by encouraging the good and challenging the bad.  In this case one can also say that one has unconditional love.  But this is REAL love because it seeks the best in the other. A supporter edifies, builds up.

Countries need less fans and more supporters.  The same is true with the church.