Is it advantageous to declare that we are people of faith?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: My friend calls herself a person of faith, so I assumed she was a Christian. When she began to tell me about her one-on-one encounters with angels and demons, I began to question what it really means to be a person of faith. Most people think it is a good designation, but surely, a “person of faith” can mean many different things. As Christians, is it advantageous to declare that we are people of faith? – P.F.
A: People have faith in many things: other people, objects, and even experiences. If our minds are not filled with God’s truth, something else will take His place: cynicism, occultism, false religions, and many other things.
But to be a Christian, an individual must confess to God in Heaven his or her own spiritual poverty – life without Christ. Each person must renounce sin and turn by faith to God’s Son, Jesus Christ. When this is done, each individual becomes a new creation. This is the miraculous work of Almighty God.
Those who turn to God begin to feed on the Word of God, which strengthens our faith. Faith actually means complete surrender and commitment to the claims of Christ. Surrendering to Him is like signing our name to a blank check and letting the Lord put in the amount. By faith, we entrust ourselves to God, for He is the author of life; Jesus is the very Word of God, and His Holy Spirit becomes our teacher.
Faith is much more than assent to historical and theological truth given, or emotionalism and experiences – it is faith in the promises of God as the believer’s only hope for eternal life. Jesus said, “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life” (John 5:24, NKJV). This is a wonderful promise.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2025 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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