When True LIfe Enters In…
Yesterday, Franklin Graham in his remarks concerning his father’s life, spoke of Dr. Billy Graham’s life verse. While he relayed it in the KJV, I have chosen to use The Message translation"
4-16 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them. Galatians 6:14-16 (The Message)
This verse is good to set as a marker, no matter what our age and stage. Dr. Graham has tremendous accolades, and even though there were attempts to try to mar him, none were successful. He lived to the best of his ability above reproach. He was admired not only in this nation, but around the world and stood as a beacon of the light of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yet, it was said by Franklin Graham that Dr. Graham had this verse all around his house, even until his death. To think that a man who could rightfully "own" any and all praises throughout his ninety-nine years on earth, kept before him the reminder that it was not him, but Christ and because of Christ he was crucified to the world – not concerned with either the attempt to please others or to be pleased by others. He recognized that the man that he was was a result not of his efforts but because of what God had done in Him as a result of the finished work of Jesus.
This alone marks him as a man not only to be admired, but to model. When we fully embrace Calvary, and are willing to allow this earthly tabernacle to be completely surrendered to the Will of God, then we will truly begin to live!
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now? It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! 1 Corinthians 15:55 (MSG)
Maria