ArcaMax

Q: My grandmother says God never gives up on anyone, but she's wrong. God gave up on me long ago, and nothing will ever change that. And frankly, I don't really care. -- B.N.

A: God hasn't given up on you -- but He has given you the terrible freedom to turn your back on Him and destroy your life, if you choose to do so. The Bible warns, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12).

But why would you want to stay on a road that clearly leads to destruction? Why would you believe Satan's lie that God has given up on you? The only reason you can possibly give is that you want to control your own life, and you don't want God telling you what to do. In other words, you don't want anything to do with God, because you know you'll have to hand over the control of your life to Him.

Listen: You may have given up on God -- but God hasn't given up on you! Although God knows all about you, He still loves you. If He didn't love you, Jesus Christ never would have come into the world and given His life for you -- but He did! And even now, His Spirit is convicting you of your sin and urging you to give your life to Christ. God's Word is true: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

Be thankful for your grandmother; she prays for you, and she yearns for you to turn from your sins and commit your life to Christ. And when you do, He'll forgive you and put your feet on the right path.

========

(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.