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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Is it possible to live in sin your entire life and be saved right before death? -- A.P.

A: One's salvation is not determined by the time of life at which we repent and accept Christ as our Savior. There have been those who have repented on their deathbeds and have been saved. In the Bible we read the account where one of the thieves crucified at the same time as Jesus turned to Him in repentance. Jesus told the thief that very day he would be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43).

However, it is a dangerous gamble for one to deliberately wait until near the end of life to settle things with Jesus Christ. None of us knows when we may die; for thousands, sudden death occurs each day. But more important even than the foolishness of delaying salvation is the fact we are losing the joy of being a Christian.

There are some who believe that the Christian life lacks joy. As a matter of fact, the only people in the world who have any right to be happy are Christians, for they understand the purpose of living and know where they are going when their earthly journey is complete. The longer one waits to accept Christ the more difficult it becomes, for the heart of man grows harder with the passing of time. The Bible says, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Without Christ at the center of our lives, daily routines become tiresome and tedious; a drudgery rather than a joy. No matter the troubles, no matter what the difficulties, there is joy for the child of God because joy is produced supernaturally by God's Spirit that abides within us.

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

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