Could God be calling me to something more?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: When I hear the song “Just as I Am” on television, I am compelled to respond and I do each and every time, but I’m not sure lasting change occurs – nor am I sure I want to drastically change. I go to church and help people, and this shows God in my life. But could God be calling me to something more? – I.C.
A: The song “Just as I Am” presents the strongest possible Biblical basis for the call of Christ on one’s life. It repeats many of the reasons a person should respond when the Spirit of God speaks. The first stanza, like most great hymns, has captured the truth of the entire hymn. We should feel free to come to Christ because He has invited us to come and be reconciled to His Father.
Everyone has the same innate awareness of God, longing to approach Him and be accepted by Him. But not all souls surrender to Him. The Bible says, “What may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen … so that they are without excuse … and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind” (Romans 1:19–20, 28, NKJV).
People cannot easily give up the idea that God will accept them because they have done good works for others or the church. We have “no plea” before God – no claim on His love or His forgiveness – except that Jesus shed His blood for us. God accepts the sacrifice made by His own sinless Son.
In coming to Christ, we shouldn’t wait until we have straightened out our lives. No small improvement on our own will make us any more acceptable to Him. He will pardon, cleanse, and transform those who repent.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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