3.3 Is Having Faith a Choice?

I've heard many responses over the years from people about my faith in Jesus. Some have accused me of not using my brain, others have called me 'God-boy', and others suggest that I should get a real job! Jesus also received a mixed bag of responses. After hearing him speak some people would mock him and say that he was just a lowlife from Nazareth. Some people literally wanted to kill him but mostly people just misunderstood him. This was true for a young guy that was known as the rich young ruler. He approached Jesus, and he said what must I do to have eternal life? What a question? Right! There was no messing around with this guy, he was straight down to business but it was Jesus' response that was shocking. Jesus answered, listing God's way of living, naming some well-known commandments like don't kill, don't steal, don't gossip. The young man replied energetically almost pridefully 'all of these I have kept since I was a boy.' Jesus knew the inner thoughts and what this man was lacking. Jesus said, 'Sell everything you own, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven then come follow me', this was Jesus' version of the mic drop. In one sentence, Jesus showed how upside-down this man's life was. You see, his life was defined by what he didn't do rather than what he could become, he was staying clear of doing bad things but all the while building his life on his false god, his wealth, and his belongings. Here's the point that I want to stress though, this man walked away from Jesus, saddened and unwilling to change and Jesus let him go. You see, Jesus doesn't force himself on anyone, his offer of forgiveness and new life is ours to choose but it does require a response we need to make our faith real for ourselves. There's a famous painting of Jesus knocking on an old Wooden Door which is inspired by a verse in the Bible. Jesus says, 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with that person and they with me.' But here's the thing about the painting, some people criticized the painter for not painting a handle on the outside of the door but that was the whole point the painter was trying to make. Jesus knocks on the door of our lives but the handle is on our side for us to choose. You could argue that the first people who chose to follow Jesus had it easy right? Like Jesus was right there in the flesh. If they got hungry he could just multiply food, if the weather got too scary, Jesus could just turn it off and his ministry only lasted 3 years and when he said that he was soon to leave the disciples flipped the lid. Now, you could understand their pain at the thought of having to live this new life without Jesus there to hold their hand but Jesus said that he would send them something better. How could something be better than Jesus in the flesh? Now, we've looked at the Christian calendar and I think one event gets very little attention and I think the reason is because our society doesn't know how to hijack it. Christmas: presents and chocolates, Easter: more chocolate, but Pentecost is a bit of a noodle scratcher. The event of Pentecost is just as significant as all the others. The very first Pentecost day was when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within those who chose to follow him to continue the work that Jesus had started. Instead of having one Jesus in the flesh it's like Jesus for everyone in the audience! Jesus said that he would never leave us or for sake us and we can experience Jesus in our daily lives with our earthly companion, the Holy Spirit. Jesus said it would be better and he meant it and Peter experienced this first hand. When Jesus was crucified, Peter was so afraid that he went as far as to deny even knowing Jesus not once but 3 times but on the day of Pentecost when Peter is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, he goes out and boldly proclaims the truth of the resurrected Jesus and 3000 people who hear him that day chose to follow Jesus. So, what will you do? Jesus is standing at your door and knocking. Will you choose to believe the resurrection as fake news or Good News?