A Race Well Run

2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”

I was in Charlotte the day of Billy Graham’s funeral. I was returning home from speaking at a game dinner. My plane was scheduled to depart about an hour before the President and Vice-President landed for the funeral. Security was everywhere. Traffic was rerouted. Stern-faced men and women in suits stood vigil in the airport. Lines were building. But, I didn’t mind. I felt a sense of awe that world leaders and dignitaries were gathering to honor the life of a man whose international fame and admiration came from one thing – his faithfulness to God!

Not since the Apostle Paul has there been a man who spread God’s message of salvation like Billy Graham! His message was simple – God loves us and wants us all to spend eternity with Him. Sin separates us from God. We have all sinned, and the wages of sin is death. “Good” works cannot pay the price. Only death can. And the Good News is that Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, shed His Precious Blood on the Cross as payment in full for our sins! All you and I must do to receive forgiveness and the “free gift” of eternal life is “…confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, (and) you will be saved…” (Romans 10:9)

Billy Graham peached that simple message in person to an estimated 215,000,000 people and to billions more through TV, radio and other media. Millions were saved. Though his counsel was sought by presidents, kings, world leaders, dignitaries, celebrities and countless others of all walks, he remained humble, gracious and, above all, faithful to God all his 99 years on this earth. He of all people can say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.”

Posted by David Morris