Billy Graham: Being a Christian is a God-given opportunity

Chiqui Guyjoco Saturday, May 28, 2016

Rev. Billy Graham believes that to be a Christian is in itself a gift as well as a God-given opportunity, instead of a burden, to non-religious members of one's family.

The 97-year-old evangelical leader and founder of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association wrote on the organization's website on Tuesday, May 24, about the role of Christians to non-believers especially those who are within one's family circle.

Billy Graham gestures while attending a book signing for former U.S. President George W. Bush's new book ''Decision Points'' at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina December 20, 2010. | Reuters/Chris Keane

"God hasn't called you to avoid unbelievers, but to help them and point them to Christ," Graham wrote as a reminder to Christians.

Graham instructed that instead of looking at it as a burden, Christians should see their faith as a God-given opportunity for them to influence their family members for good. He acknowledges that no one wants to be seen as negative or self-righteous especially among Christians and agrees that to be perceived these ways is not the wisest way to lead people to Christ. Instead, Graham wrote, people should be able to see Christ's love and joy manifested in a Christian's life as well as carry hope and peace.

"We have been chosen, the Bible says, to "declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9)," Graham quoted.

He further encouraged Christians that God will use them in several ways. Christians can be used to encourage family members who already love God to point relatives to God if they're seeking Him and want answers, and to even plant seeds of faith in the hearts of those who will only respond by scorn or indifference.

In another blog post, Graham wrote about spreading Christ's influence and message of love and hope beyond the family circle and in a much wider scale. He cited the world's growing need for missionaries.

"Some countries are now open to the Gospel that were closed only 15 or 20 years ago, and opportunities for evangelism and service in those nations have exploded," he wrote, adding "Churches in those countries often need training and other skills that only missionaries can supply."