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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My mother told me that I am a Christian so there is no need to do anything else, just live to be kind to others and act as a Christian should. The church I am going to says otherwise and that I’m confused. I’ve been a member of the church a long time and was even baptized at this church; now I hear that I may not be “in.” How can a church determine someone’s heart? – I.O.

A: Does someone become part of their country’s military force by just saying they are? No, they join up, knowing that it may cost them their life. Before a person ever puts on a uniform, that person must swear an oath, undergo extreme training, and submit oneself to superiors. The wonderful thing about Christianity is that when God’s grace saves, God’s Spirit moves in and makes the changes possible. Love for the world is replaced with love for God and the things that please Him.

People listen to many voices that say what it means to be a Christian, but Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25, NKJV).

These are hard words, and the people who followed Jesus thought so too. But taking up His cross means to identify with the suffering of Jesus and accept His lordship. This is what it means to be a Christian – to repent of sin before the Lord Jesus and accept His forgiveness and all it means to follow Him.

Be thankful for those who want to help us understand the message of salvation and what we must do to receive it. We must believe in what Jesus has said and has done to pay the debt of our sins. The cross is the suffering love of God bearing the guilt of man’s sin, which alone is able to melt the sinner’s heart and bring him or her to repentance for salvation.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.