An Offer I Couldn’t Refuse – An Open Letter To My Friends
Para la versión en Español haz clic aqui.
I think most people are familiar with the classic movie ‘The Godfather’. In it, there is a scene where Johnny Fontane asks his godfather, Don Corleone (Marlon Brando), for a favor. He wanted the godfather to talk to the film producer of an upcoming movie so that he could get the leading role. The godfather tells him not to worry and says: “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
My encounter with Jesus was different, but nonetheless it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t a death threat like in The Godfather, but one of life – real life now, and eternal life later.
But this offer didn’t come without a cost. It cost me relationships with some friends, judgment from most, many hard moments with my father and even some growing pains with my wife early on. I quickly became aware that being a Christian is okay, but being ‘too Christian’, or worse, ‘too Catholic’, is not okay. Trust me when I say it would’ve been a lot easier for me to keep this revelation all to myself.
The truth is, that following Christ has been hands down the best decision of my life, even though it has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But, then again, I knew it would be. In fact, Jesus promised it:
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Lk 9:23
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Jn 15:18-19
Why did I change my life to follow Jesus?
First, let me say that before all of this, I was at the best moment of my life. I had finished my medical training and everything that I had worked for was finally happening. In addition, my wife and I had started our family and we were about to welcome our second daughter. We bought a new home and our future was looking very promising in terms of worldly things.
So, why the change?
As I wrote in the ‘About’ section, what motivated me to go on this journey was a search for answers to the big questions in life. And if you’ve read my previous posts, you know that it was the evidence and logical analysis that led me to this conclusion: Jesus is God Incarnate.
If I believe Jesus is God, then I must believe in His words and follow Him. His message is very clear:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”
Jn 14:6
“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”
Jn 11:25-26
“And Jesus said to them: all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.”
Mt 28:18
No other religious leader has ever spoken like that. They all point to God but Jesus points to Himself. These would be the words of a lunatic unless what He says is true. That’s why I started looking at the evidence and arguments from metaphysics and history first. But the evidence is compelling. Jesus Christ is the truth.
A matter of life or death
I know many people don’t see it like this. At least I never did. I thought we all go to heaven, except maybe people like Hitler. But that’s only because I didn’t know or I chose not to believe. Even though Jesus’ words give us hope, He also has some pretty sobering words for us. He says:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Mt 7:13-14
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Mt 7:21
“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off (this is hyperbole by the way); it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”
Mk 9:43
That’s why it’s an offer I couldn’t refuse. It really is a matter of life or death.
Why I proclaim Jesus Christ?
First, because it’s the greatest news ever. And what do people do when they have good news? They share it with their family and friends. Second, because Jesus commanded: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel [Good News] to every creature.” (Mk 16:15). It is just part of being a Christian.
Atheist magician Penn Jillette put it this way (here is the video):
“If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward, how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?… I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”
I’m not looking to tackle anyone. I just want to share what I learned and experienced in this amazing life-changing journey using both reason and faith as my guide. And maybe, just maybe, it will resonate with someone and it too will become an offer they can’t refuse.
For Jesus said:
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Jn 15:7-11
