ON CHRISTIANITY

By BILLY GRAHAM

Posted: October 24, 2012 at 3:27 a.m.

• Print item
• E-mail
• Tweet

LITTLE ROCK — DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I heard someone say that when we get to heaven, we’re probably going to be surprised at some of the people who will be there. Do you think it’s true?

• B.L.

DEAR B.L.: Yes, I believe it is true (and so, incidentally, did my wife, Ruth, who often quoted this statement). Butwe also may be surprised when we get to heaven to discover who isn’t there!

Our salvation does not depend on us and our good works, but solely on God’s grace to us in Jesus Christ. No matter how good we are, we will never be good enough to win our admission into heaven. God is absolutely pure and holy, and even one sin - just one - would be enough to keep us out of heaven. That’s why even someone we think of as a very good person may not end up in heaven.

But God in his mercy and grace has provided another way for us to be saved - and that way is Jesus. He was without sin, but on the cross all our sins were transferred to him, and he died in our place. Now we can be cleansed of our sins and made ready for heaven, by trusting him for our salvation. The two men who were crucifi ed with Jesus had sinned greatly, but one repented, and Jesus welcomed him into heaven in spite of his sin (see Luke 23:40-43).

Who are you trusting for your salvation - yourself or Jesus? Make sure, by repenting of your sins and trusting Christ alone for your salvation. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ... not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201 or visit the website at billygraham.org

Food, Pages 36 on 10/24/2012

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.