ON CHRISTIANITY

By BILLY GRAHAM

LITTLE ROCK — DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Please pray for me. The doctor says I need open-heart surgery, and I’m scared I won’t make it. I’ve never been a religious person, but is it too late to turn to God? If I died right now, I know I wouldn’t go to heaven.

- D.F.

DEAR D.F.: Sometimes it takes a serious crisis like this to wake us up and make us realize our need of God - and I believe this is what ishappening to you. After all, would you have ever thought seriously about your eternal salvation and your need for Christ otherwise? Probably not.

It isn’t too late foryou to turn to God. In fact, I believe God has spared your life so you’d have another opportunity to turn to Him. I pray you won’t ignore this. The Bible says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God loves you, and He doesn’t want you to die and spend eternity apart from Him.

And you don’t have to, because God has provided the way for you to be saved. That way is Jesus Christ, who gave His life as the fi - nal and complete sacrifice for your sins. Only one thing will keep you out of heaven, and that is your sins. But on the cross all your sins were placed on Christ, and He took upon Himself the death and hell that you deserve. Don’t let another day go by without Him, but by faith open your heart and life to Him and trust Him for your salvation.

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

www.billygraham.org

MovieStyle, Pages 43 on 11/06/2009