How can anyone possibly live up to what the Bible demands?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I don’t mind people believing the Bible but they shouldn’t insist on others believing it or cramming it down the throats of those who choose not to believe. Personally, I don’t see how anyone can possibly live up to what the Bible demands. There are just too many regulations, commands and laws. – B.C.
A: Did you know that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day had more than 600 man-made laws they were required to obey? (Notice the emphasis on “man-made” laws.) The people couldn’t keep all those laws; it was impossible.
Yet the rulers believed that those laws had to be obeyed in order to win God’s favor. But Jesus summed up God’s Law with only two commands: “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor.” And He used a special, all-encompassing word for love, a word that includes everyone. We are to love our neighbors, He said, even though they may have a different color skin, ethnic background, or language; even though they look different, walk differently, or act differently. We are also to help our neighbors who are poor. The Gospel of Christ has no meaning unless it is applied to those who are in need.
The Greek word for love that Jesus used implies action. It is not a passive word; it is an action word. We are to love by our actions. The key is that if we put God at the center of life and seek to learn His word and obey it, our hearts will be tender toward others and He will empower us to help others in the name of Jesus.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27).
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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)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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