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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: The term “person of faith” has become its own religion and people of all faiths are adopting it as their identity. Someone asked if I was a person of faith. I said, “Absolutely, I believe in Jesus.” She quickly identified as a person who believed in the power of self, but said she was glad we had a common faith and that faith is all important. Is this Biblical? – P.F.

A: Professing faith in God isn’t the same as possessing God who is the source of faith. “Whatever” has become a mantra for many, a trendy approach to a religion of belonging to self. One woman tried out several Protestant denominations and finally settled on her own religion: a mix of the Baha’i and Native American traditional healing practices – while still claiming to be a Christian. She said, “I support people who do good wherever they are.”

News articles have been written about the trend of developing a religion that reflects one’s desires. When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is watered down to a myth, it’s no longer the Gospel of Christ, but another gospel. The world doesn’t object to this kind of religion. The Bible says, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight (Isaiah 5:21, NIV). Society may think itself clever in devising new ways to worship, but the Bible tells us that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, NKJV).

True Christianity is distinguished from all the religions of the world by God sending His Son to redeem the human race from sin and empowering them to know and receive the truth of redemption for sin by Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection to life everlasting. He offers this to all who will repent and receive His gift in the whole world. Christians distinguish themselves by believing [by faith] in Christ Jesus and obeying Him.

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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.