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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Some people are attracted to the Jesus of the Bible; others are repulsed by His claim to being holy. Why is this? – N.L.

A: Many people during Jesus’ earthly life saw in Him a quality of life they had never seen before, and they wanted to experience it for themselves. When they looked at Jesus, they saw joy and peace and kindness – and most of all, they saw God’s love. They didn’t understand it until they humbled themselves before Christ and received Him as Lord and Savior. Others walked away from Him when they realized that He could transform their lives, but they only wanted the promise of Heaven; they had no desire to live for Him.

If your image of the Christian life is negative and cheerless and dull, I have news for you: You are wrong! Listen: God never removes something from our lives without replacing it with something far better. It might not seem so at the time, but later you will understand – and you will marvel at God’s wisdom and goodness.

If God takes away a bad habit that has enslaved you, He will replace it with a better way of living. If He takes away your gossip or cursing or backbiting, He will replace them with words of love and encouragement and praise. If He removes your self-centered motives, He will replace them with the excitement and joy of doing His will. God’s goal isn’t just to remove the bad things in our lives; He wants to replace them with good things. His plan is to remake us from within, by His Holy Spirit.

The Bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV). That’s what God’s will is like: good, pleasing, and perfect. Why settle for anything less?

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.