DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Why is Jesus any different from all the other religious leaders who have ever lived? I admire His teachings, but I've also studied other religious leaders and philosophers, and I respect them too.
-- P.L.
DEAR P.L.: I'm thankful you're curious about religion, but have you ever asked yourself why? Is it merely because you find it interesting, or is it because down inside you have a hunger for God? I pray it's the latter because God wants to satisfy that hunger, and He will if you sincerely seek Him.
Jesus Christ, the Bible says, is different from all the other religious leaders and philosophers who have ever lived (or ever will live) for two main reasons. First, He is unique because He was God in human flesh. He wasn't just a godly person; He was fully God and fully man. Think of it: The God who created the whole universe stooped down and took upon Himself our humanity. As the Bible says, Jesus "is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3).
But Jesus is different for another very important reason. He alone made it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God. Sin separates us from God, and no matter how hard we try, we can't erase sin's stain on our souls. But Jesus came to erase it for us, and He did this by becoming the final, God-ordained sacrifice for our sins.
Don't wander through life wondering if you'll ever find God. Instead, by faith ask Christ to come into your life today -- and He will. The Bible says, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9).
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 on 05/18/2016