How does a person become a fanatic? How do you explain risking your life for a passion?

A passion for football, soccer or any other sport. This would be like trying to explain the unexplainable?

One thing is for sure: fanatics don’t use reason. Just emotions.

Fanaticism is the result of an obsessive enthusiasm. Whether it’s a religion, political party, sports team or person.

Fanaticism doesn’t develop in adulthood. Fanaticism begins during childhood.

In the absence of rational thinking, all of their energy is placed into what their heart feels.

Parents begin the process of “conversion” by taking the child to packed stadiums.

The abundance of colors, along with the roar of the crowd, encourages an obsessive enthusiasm. From then on, the child is possessed by this passion. And carries it with him for the rest of his life.

He can change religion, wife, job; this is, everything except his team. What does he benefit from all this? Nothing!

As a former Botafogo fan, I can assure you, there were more disappointments and hassles than joys. This happens to all fans. And even when there were joys, it added absolutely nothing to my life.

The young man then goes to college. There, he receives information, ideas, and concepts.  He obtains an academic background. If he commits to his education and puts it into practice, his future is guaranteed.

At least, theoretically it is.

However, the same does not apply to intelligent faith.

It is not born by chance, or through the interference of others. Instead, it is a revelation from the Throne of the Most High. Isaiah 53.1

Like something extremely sublime, precious and powerful, the revelation of supernatural faith causes dreams to come true. It brings into existence the nonexistent. And it has no limits.

This is what happened with Abraham. He heard the Voice of God and obeyed His direction. Result: he became a blessing. There were no limits in his life.

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. Genesis 24.1

How do you explain this quality of faith?

It cannot be explained. It can only be experienced through obedience.

Abraham was the beginning of intelligent faith.

He thought to himself, “If I become an ally to the Creator, nothing will be impossible!”

This conviction led him to unconditional obedience.

And to the blessings, too.