Nearing Home is the title of Billy Graham's most recent book. In that book, he talks about life's greatest decision. He says, "The most important decision you will ever make is to give your life to Christ and become His follower. Don't wait until life's storms begin to batter you; then it may be too late. Open your heart and life to Him now. 'Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation' (2 Corinthians 6:2)." (Billy Graham, Nearing Home, Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011) 139.
In the introduction to the book, he wrote, "I know it won't be long before God calls me home to Heaven. More than ever I look forward to that day - not just because of the wonder I know heaven holds in store for me and every believer, but because I know that finally all the burdens and sorrows that press down upon me at this stage of life will be over." He went on to say, "I also look forward to that day because I will be reunited with Ruth, my beloved wife and best friend for almost sixty-four years, who went home in 2007 to be with the Lord she loved and served so faithfully."
Billy Graham, as a world-renowned author and evangelist, has preached the good news of Jesus Christ to more people face-to-face than anyone in history. He has preached the Gospel message in 185 countries. Many of us have read his classic books, such as Revival in Our Time, Peace with God, World Aflame, Hope for the Troubled Heart, The Journey, and Storm Warning. God has used his life and ministry to change countless numbers of lives.
The living Christ, who has worked in the life of Billy Graham, is the same One who wants to work in our lives. It begins with life's greatest decision to commit our lives to Christ. The Holy Spirit works in our lives to draw us to Christ.
The work of the Spirit of Christ is revealed within us through faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). We come to God by faith in Jesus Christ. By faith, we know that Christ died for our sins. He was raised from the dead to justify us from all sin. Hope knows that this life is not the end. Heaven is our home. Resurrection and reunion come to us through the living Christ. Love is the greatest work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts (Romans 5:5). We know that God loves us and proved it at the cross of Jesus (Romans 5:8). His love overflows from within us, that we may be able to love others.
Billy Graham wrote these final words, "For those who have received the most precious gift of Christ's redeeming blood . . . you have reason to look forward to the glories of Heaven, for you will be perfected, you will be joyful, you will once again be active, and right now you can be certain that you are nearing home." He's right. Life's greatest decision is to receive by faith God's greatest gift - Jesus Christ our Lord. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).
