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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I am not opposed to Christians but I am opposed to the fact that they preach God’s love, the brotherhood of man, and we are people tied together by human bonds, while saying that only Christians make up the family of God. Isn’t this doublespeak? – B.F.

A: There is a great deal of misunderstanding when it comes to the universal fatherhood of God and brotherhood. The majority of appeals made on behalf of peace are based on the idea of brotherhood. There is a wrong sense in which God is the Father of us all by creation. The truth is that God is our Creator. But the world seems blinded to the fact that for us to know God spiritually as Father, we must receive Christ as personal Lord and Savior and accept His forgiveness and His salvation. Only then are we brought into the family of God and become His children. His spiritual fatherhood belongs only to those who trust Him.

Class warfare is another misunderstanding in society. The Bible says that there are only two classes of people: the saved and the lost; those who are going to Heaven and those who are going to Hell (see Matthew 7:13–14). The family of God is simply made up of believers from every race and every nation.

Outside of Christ’s work on the cross – His death and His resurrection from the grave – there is bitterness, intolerance, ill will, prejudice, lust, greed, and hatred. Within the efficacy of the cross of Christ Jesus, there is love and fellowship and new life, no matter the race, nationality, or social standing. There is no Jew, no Gentile. Those who belong to Christ are one great brotherhood in Him. This is the family of God.

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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.