And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work… Colossians 1:10
Isn’t this the ultimate goal? To live a life worthy of the Lord and to please him in every way. Paul told the Colossians that this was why he prayed for them to be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding. So that they could accomplish this kind of life.
Yesterday the great Evangelist, Billy Graham, went home to be with the Lord. Although many mourned his loss, it was impossible to miss the fact that his death on earth only ushered in his eternity in heaven. When I thought about his arrival in heaven I couldn’t help but become emotional. I heard someone say that he shared the gospel with over 200 million people at his crusades around the world. Can you imagine the line of redeemed souls in heaven that will shake his hand and say: “Thank you for telling me about Jesus!” And if ever there were a new arrival that would hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” – he would be it!
Reflecting on Billy Graham’s death really made me think about what my impact on this earth is going to be. Even though we may not all be Evangelists on the scale that he was, we all are called to tell people about Jesus. Think about the guy that told Billy Graham about Jesus! Clearly he had no idea that this one guy who heard his message would go on to share it with millions more. It’s kind of like an assist in basketball. Although you may not get credit for scoring the points, if you hadn’t passed the ball the scorer wouldn’t have made the bucket.
So what is the message that saves? It’s pretty simple, actually. Everyone has sinned and on their own is not “good enough” to please God. And the penalty for any sin is death and an eternity separated from God. God is too holy to allow sin in his presence. But because God loves us infinitely more than we can imagine, he provided a substitute for our punishment. Jesus Christ, his only son, died in our place. The only substitute that could atone for our sins because he was not atoning for his own. (Jesus had no sin.) When Jesus rose from the dead and took his rightful place at the right hand of the Father, he conquered death once and for all. And knowing this, we have a choice to make. We can either keep trying to earn our own salvation (which the Bible clearly says we can never do), or we can confess that Jesus is Lord and ask him to be the Lord of our life and the Savior of our soul.
…for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:13-15
Once you hear and accept the good news of salvation through Christ alone, your task is clear. Go and tell! (Matthew 28:19) The Reverend Billy Graham lived this out and he is receiving his reward!