Can a Christian ride the middle road?

on Jun 27, 2024

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My twin sister was brought up the same way I was – in church and active in youth groups. When we finished school, we went different directions. When we get together, I’m stunned at how she thinks and conducts herself. When I ask how she squares this with her upbringing, she simply says, “Sometimes I feel like a Christian, and sometimes I have to break out of the chains and live it up a little.” When I confront her about not being able to live in two different worlds, she says, “I’m not going from one extreme to another; I’m riding the middle road.” – C.S.

A: Becoming a Christian is a once-for-all event in which we repent of our sins and cast ourselves on Christ alone for our salvation. When we are saved, God takes us “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Living a Christian life is a daily, ongoing experience. It is a lifelong process of seeking to live for Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s where our wills come in. Although we have been converted and God’s Spirit has come to live in us, our old nature is still “alive and kicking” and desires to put self first instead of Christ. It isn’t easy to bring our stubborn wills into submission to Christ, but when we do, it’s as if a misplaced vertebra has snapped back into place. Instead of the stress and tension of a life out of harmony with God, we discover the serenity of His presence.

The broad road or the narrow road; each person must decide. One road leads to destruction and Hell; the extremes of humanity are on this broad road. The other road is not as crowded, but it leads to abundant life here and now and eventually to eternity with Christ. We all must choose which road we take.

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