“The cross is offensive because it confronts people. Even
so, it is a confrontation that all of us must face,” Billy Graham stated in his
final sermon to the public. Ninety-five year old Rev. Graham proclaimed God’s
message in his, My Hope America, as
it aired recently. And of course, the urgent plea was the same as the sermons
he delivered for over fifty years. The Word of God and its profound truths are
for yesterday, today and forever. God reveals the fall of man, the plan of redemption
and the kingdom to come. Therefore, every person has a choice to make. And
that is the pesky problem!
Mankind does not always want to hear about the character of
God and righteousness. The prospect of the sanctification process and the
realization we must be the salt in our circle of family and friends often
requires standing alone. Some of our friendships will change. Choices between
integrity and living in the foggy grey zone where situation ethics are the
scale of measurement will be life-changers.
The sad part of this situation is that the “yes” choice of
receiving Christ as Lord is magnificent. The deep internal peace and
forgiveness is unspeakable. This is not to say that life becomes easy and
problem-free. But God gives us an internal compass – the Holy Spirit – to aid
our efforts each day. As He gradually opens our understanding of the
scriptures, new excitement fills our mind and heart.
The circle of friends in the Body of Christ is such a sweet
aspect of our journey. Patience and other strengths listed in Galatians 5: 22
and 23 are easier to accomplish with God’s help. So much satisfaction is found
when we are tugged toward gentleness or self-control when we feel like spouting
words that are not going to have any positive benefit.
By far one of the most penetrating results of knowing Christ
is hope. He is the only true hope for the future. Hope for our days that lie
before us on this earth, and the hope of ruling and reigning with Christ in the
Kingdom to come. (Revelation 20: 4-6)
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