Billy Graham—In His Own Words: Christ Gives Hope
July 16, 2021
Categories: In His Own Words
CHRIST GIVES HOPE!
When we see ecological problems, disease and famine, we wonder how much longer the planet can exist. Is there any hope?
Our world has changed, technology has changed, but human nature has not changed. We are still human beings capable of any kind of crime. We ask ourselves: ‘Is there any hope?’
The great need in our world today is the need for hope.
In Luke 21:25-28 we read, “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear….And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
I was on an airplane one day, and sitting beside me was a sociology professor from one of our great universities. I happened to be reading the third chapter of Second Timothy. He asked, “What are you reading?”
I answered, “I’m reading a part of the Bible.”
He said, “Do you mind if I read it?” So I gave him this passage to read: “You must realize that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become utterly self-centered, greedy for money, full of big words. They will be proud and contemptuous, without any regard for what their parents taught them. They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, purity and normal human affections. They will be men of unscrupulous speech and have no control of themselves. They will be passionate and unprincipled, treacherous, self-willed and conceited, loving all the time what gives them pleasure instead of loving God. They will maintain a facade of ‘religion,’ but their conduct will deny its validity. You must keep clear of people like that.”
When he finished reading, he turned to me and said, “You know, that is a description of our country today.”
I replied, “Yes, and that was written 2,000 years ago.”
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There is hope for the future. It is centered in the Person of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose from the grave and is alive now. I have staked all that I am or ever hope to be on him. And so must you, if you are to know him, and if you are to be in the Kingdom of God.