Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: I am a person of faith, but even I resent others who insist that we all must decide if we want to be saved from our sins. Whose business is it anyway? – R.S.

Dear R.S.: The majority of people love to hear a true story about being saved. Social media platforms light up when a search and rescue account is posted. People retweet videos and post pictures of heroes who rush into burning buildings and pull victims out of the fire or save children out of rushing waters.

Most people hope that if they find themselves in dangerous situations, someone will come to their rescue. Some Christians may not always present the salvation message in the most tactful way but the Bible says, “He who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30, NKJV). D.L. Moody walked the streets of Chicago talking to people about salvation.

Who doesn’t want to be saved? Think about it. From a spiritual view, many reject rescue because they don’t want to humble themselves. We seldom stop to realize that when we are rescued from something, we are also saved for something. When we are rescued by someone, we are indebted to the one who has saved us from disaster, impending doom, and perhaps death itself.

The One who came to save us is none other than Jesus Christ the Savior. No other human being, no matter how selfless or brave, can rescue us from the certainty of eternal death. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be saved, that we have no hope of rescue. It just means we need to be clear about Who really saves us (see John 5:24). God bless those who care enough about the souls of others. Nothing bad comes from being saved.

————

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)