On Christianity

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Several of my friends are active church types, but I can't see that it makes any difference in the way they live. How do you explain this? I don't think they're any better than I am.

-- C.McK.

DEAR C.McK.: If someone is sincerely committed to Jesus Christ, it will make a difference in the way he or she lives. It may only be in small ways at first, but over time that person's life will be different because Christ lives within them. The Bible says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Only God knows, of course, whether or not your friends truly believe in Christ. However, the Bible warns us against claiming we are following Christ, when in reality we aren't. We may claim to be Christians; we may say we're trying to live by the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount; we even may be active in a church, but we've never allowed Christ to take control of our lives. The Bible warns, "Faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26).

Don't reject Christ because of those who claim to be His followers but deny it by the way they live. Instead, look honestly at Christ, and when you do, you'll discover what He has done to forgive you and make you part of His family forever. God loves you, and Christ died to save you. Once you understand this, you will want to commit your life to Him -- and your life will never be the same.

Christians aren't perfect, nor will we be until God takes us to heaven. But if we know Christ, we'll want to become more like Him every day. Don't let pride, or anything else, keep you from giving your life to Him.

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

ActiveStyle on 05/04/2015

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