Is faith by chance or by choice? That was a question a lady asked at an event I recently attended. My friend who was next to me said, “Do you want to answer her question?” I was left to respond impromptu, on the spot. But that was okay. I knew the answer… Faith is by choice.
Each person regardless of what faith they were raised in, will have the opportunity to choose their own faith someday. Typically, each person embraces their family’s faith until they can make their own choice. Sometimes the parents may be of different faiths, and they decide which religion they will raise the children in. Other homes may not practice any religion at all. They leave it to the kids to choose their faith “when they grow up.” Yet other parents choose to believe in nothing or simply believe there is no God at all. Most of those children grow up as agnostics or atheists.
So, is faith by chance or by choice? Regardless of each person’s upbringing, human beings can choose their own beliefs which are founded on their faith. But there is another key question we must answer. Faith in what or whom? Faith in money, fame, nature, yourself, gods, or the God? But which God? How do you know the “god” you believe in is the “real God”?
Can you say with certainty that when you die you know that you know that you’re going to heaven? I can. Why? Because the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is also my God. He is the only God who is the creator of all and the only One who is still alive. He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Rev. 22:13 NKJV).
From all the religions, Christianity is the only one whose founder, Jesus Christ, is still alive and will be for eternity. God sent His only Son as a human to save us from eternal damnation and instead have eternal life (John 3:16-17). He died on the cross and rose from the dead forever. All the other religions’ prophets, saints, and religious leaders from other religions are dead. And that’s a fact! Jesus is alive and Jesus is Lord which is God. When Jesus left to heaven He left us His Holy Spirit. “Then he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22 NLT). We communicate to God and to Jesus through the Holy Spirit. They are three in One (Genesis 1:26, Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.”). How do I know this? I believe it by faith, and I also have experienced God in my personal life – everyday.
This Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It’s a great opportunity to choose to be His follower. Nothing else matters in the end. Jesus is real and He wants to save you too. It’s so easy and simple to do. And it’s free! All you must do is acknowledge you are a sinner, repent from your sins, and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This huge step of faith restores your relationship with God. You will now know that you know that when you die you will be with Jesus forever in heaven. No other religion offers FREE salvation! They all require you to do something, perform rituals, traditions, or countless acts you can never accomplish on your own. No one can save him or herself. It is impossible. But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), including salvation through Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to seek Jesus and accept Him as your Savior. You will never regret it. Enjoy the Christmas season of giving which is to remind us of the greatest gift of all—Jesus!
Salvation is for everyone
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
(Romans 10:9-10 NLT)
Merry Christmas to you and your family!