ArcaMax

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My spirit is troubled. A close friend of mine knows I’m a Christian yet she keeps talking about wanting to sow seeds today that will give her a better opportunity in the next life. While she can’t explain how it happens, she believes emphatically that there is a next life. I don’t know if she is wanting to argue with me, and I guess I don’t want to offend her. Why am I afraid to confront her folly about reincarnation? – N.L.

A: Many today find the idea of reincarnation attractive – the belief that after we die, we come back to Earth again as a different person. The Bible says, “As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all [people] (Romans 12:18, NKJV). How is this done when faith in Jesus Christ is different from every other religion? The Bible tells us to speak His truth, and the truth is that there is life after death, but not as another being, but transformed.

The Bible is clear that reincarnation is not true, and the life we are leading now is the only one we will ever live. Once we die, we go into eternity – either to Heaven to be with God forever or to that place the Bible calls Hell, where we will be separated from God and His blessings forever.

What difference should this make? It gives urgency to our lives right now. If you are ever going to trust Christ for your salvation, if you are ever going to live for Him – the time is now. The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV). This truth should give us a greater burden for those who don’t know Christ. When people tell us about their beliefs, they are often wanting to know what we think about them. This is a tremendous open door to be a witness for Him.

========

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

©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.