CHRISTIANITY IS AN OPEN DOOR
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:66-69 (KJV)
Christianity is an open door. When I say it is an open door, I mean that there is no compulsion to serve. God never compels you to accept the Lordship of Jesus over your life. In John 6:48, Jesus began to teach after he had fed the five thousand multitudes that followed Him. He taught them about commitment, dedication, and about serving Him. The people had seen Him as a miracle worker, but Jesus wanted them to see Him in a deeper dimension.
So, He declares: “I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:48-51 (KJV)
Jesus was simply saying: “Get committed to me! Don’t just come close because of the loaves and fishes. There is still more! The proof of your commitment to follow me is that you are ready to obey me”. Many of His disciples considered His teachings too hard to accept. From that moment, many of the disciples went back and walked no more with Him. It was a time to make a choice of commitment. But they chose to desert Him. Those who had enjoyed loaves and fishes. Those who were healed and delivered. They walked away.
Christianity is an open door. It is not a cult. You can walk away if you don’t want to serve Him. No compulsion in the Kingdom of God. However, Peter and the rest chose to remain. Everyone made a choice. And Jesus respected their choices. This Year, what choice are you making concerning your walk with God?
Further Reading: John 6: 48-69
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Gen.18-19 / Evening- Matt. 6: 1-18
