Contagious Courage

Romans 10:10-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Mark 16:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

The day of Billy Graham's death and home going, I overheard a conversation mocking him.  It saddened me that a hero of the faith could be so disparaged; but it also saddened me for the souls of the mirthful.

  Romans 1:22 Good News Translation (GNT)

22 They say they are wise, but they are fools;

I grew up with Billy Graham.  My mother would call us children in from play on a long summer evening to watch his crusades and my own obedience to her call was tinged with reluctance.  Still there was something this man on a grainy black and white TV calling people to accept Christ that compelled me to watch and then marvel as the people came forward to do so.  This week I read a sidebar article on his death in the news that explained what evangelism was and suggested that it was a passing phase in Christianity.  It surprised me that something I learned as a child, the call to proclaim the gospel, was first necessary to explain and then treated as a historical footnote.  The death of Billy Graham doesn't negate my own responsibility to proclaim the gospel, even if I fall too often into reluctant obedience.  I pray that my spine may be stiffened by this brave man.  It's my job to love as well.