Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of Billy Graham (1918-2018)

2 Timothy 2:1-2 New International Version (NIV)

The Appeal Renewed

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I started this past week reflecting on the loss of Evangelical Christianity's most prominent leader in the 20th Century.  This is not going to be a long reflection about how Billy Graham has had a profound personal impact on my life.  I'll leave those sort of bios and reflections to reliable men like Ed Stetzer, who holds the Billy Graham Distinguished Chair at Wheaton College.

The following link is a well written reflection article from Stetzer on Graham's passing:   http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2018/february/reflections-on-passing-of-rev-billy-graham-one-of-greatest-.html 

As for me, I speak the truth in that I graduated with a MA in Intercultural Studies and TESOL and scholarship in Graham's name from Wheaton College, Graham's alma mater. I may have never met Graham, but my spiritual beliefs and way of life have been greatly influenced by teachers and disciples of Graham.  In the words of 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Graham's students have been "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" and have entrusted Graham's teachings about Christ onto reliable people who will also share God's blessings with others.  I hope that, with God's grace found in Christ, I am one of those reliable people who can share God's blessings.

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People like Dr. Philip Ryken, the President of Wheaton College, who continues to reflect and share the lessons he received from Graham.  Ryken shared an important passage from Graham's 1997 autobiography, Just As I Am, in an email to members of the Wheaton College Community this past week:

I don't know the future, but I do know this: the best is yet to be! Heaven awaits us, and that will be far, far more glorious than anything we can ever imagine. As the Bible says, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (I John 3:2). This is the hope of every believer. It is my hope, and I pray that it will be your hope as well. I know that soon my life will be over. I thank God for it, and for all He has given me in this life. But I look forward to Heaven...Most of all, I look forward to seeing Christ and bowing before Him in praise and gratitude for all He has done for us, and for using me on this earth by His grace—just as I am.

This passage from Graham's autobiography contains a valuable lesson.  Billy Graham wasn't perfect, and was well aware of his imperfection and mortality.  Yet, that's not the end of the story.

Graham knew that he served the Lord, who, despite Graham's imperfections, loved him.  Graham is now with the Lord God in Heaven, experiencing something truly glorious beyond human description, with Christ.  This isn't because of the spectacular crowds Graham attracted during his ministry.  It isn't even for reliable people (With God's grace, I'm one of the reliable) who will continue to share Graham's quality teachings with others.  Rather, it is the simple truth that followers of Christ believe: 

John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I'll close with an application and open invitation to everyone regardless of religion or life choices.  Ask yourself:

1) What does it mean that God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son? 2) Why should I care that God gave his one and only Son?
3) Knowing my response to the first two questions, how should my response impact the way I live my life?

If you and I spend time reflecting over these questions, regardless of what we believe or our past life choices, we will be honoring the legacy of Billy Graham and hopefully passing on the legacy other reliable men and women, qualified to teach others.