Billy Graham RIP

With the passing of the one who was called America’s pastor, Billy Graham, let us remember the best of his ministry.

Graham preached the Gospel – and Graham called for a decision.  He didn’t beat around the bush at all when it came to naming sin, sin – and he made clear that the only way of salvation was through faith in God’s Son, Jesus.

There are many issues we might take with Billy Graham’s theology and with the methods he employed.  Fine.  But that man knew how to bring people, millions of people, face to face with eternity and the need to cry out to the Lord for salvation.

Here is the gospel:  Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  We are all sinners, lost and under God’s judgment.  Jesus died to pay for the sins of those lost in sin.  What must you do?  Believe and confess – and today is the day of salvation.  Today is the day of decision.

May God grant us a reformation where we return to the Bible and the Bible alone for our theology and philosophy of ministry.  But may God grant us a fervent love for the lost and an uncompromising boldness to speak the truth, to preach the truth, in love – love for Jesus – and love for people.