It is sad that men have difficulty discerning the visible fruit of the Holy Spirit. Billy Graham by far was a man of God who lived a life above reproach in our generation. God used him and opened doors for him to preach the good news.
He was an obedient servant who fulfilled his calling to sow and to water and his job ended there and God is the one who has, will, and more importantly continue to reap the harvest. We have not even begun to see the fruit of his labor and those who co-labored with him.
This man was instrumental in ministering to both of my catholic Italian parents in which God drew them, called them out, and saved them.
So listen to Gods admonition and warning to us.
1Peter 3:8-17 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (10) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (13) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? (14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (17) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Bearing false witness is a serious crime that we need to be careful of. Listen to one of the last messages Billy Graham spoke to all of mankind.
This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and yet men having eyes, they see not, and having ears, they hear not, and they profess to have the Holy Spirit of God, and yet they discern not, but rather choose to bite and devour, bear false witness, and condemn the righteous. They choose to fulfill their own will and not Gods.
I submit that their beef is not with Billy Graham but it is rather with God. They are actually saying God is not capable to finish what He started, they say His hand is shortened that it cannot redeem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4TMuee7Ir8
A final and sobering warning to those who choose to cast down Gods elect from their excellency Psalm 62:4. Pay close attention to verses 7&8
Psalm 64:1-10 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. (2) Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: (3) Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: (4) That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. (5) They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? (6) They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. (7) But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. (8) So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. (9) And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. (10) The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
_________________ David Fella
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