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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I am running for city council and have been advised to join a church because it will help me gain votes, and a church may even help fight for the rights of the people. Aren’t these wrong reasons to join a church? – N.V.

A: Many politicians join churches prior to elections; this is not unusual. But they must understand that belonging to a church does not save their souls, nor does it reserve a place in Heaven someday.

Many people decide to join the church because they think that getting their names on a church roll is all that is necessary. They perform the rites, pay the money, and think they have done all that is necessary to meet the standard. But worry about eternity nags with doubt; striving to be good seems unattainable.

No matter how much we strive to live according to the precepts of Jesus’ message, without Christ living within us, it is impossible.

If we could reckon with sin on our own, we would say, “Look at me, I saved myself by doing the best I could!” But the Bible tells us that it is by God’s grace we are saved through faith, and that it isn’t ourselves, but “it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, NKJV).

The true church is the body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we in the church want a cause to fight, let’s fight sin. Let’s reveal its hideousness. If the church went back to the main task of proclaiming the Gospel, it would see people being converted to Christ as Savior, and it would have a far greater impact on the social, moral, and psychological needs of people than anything else it could possibly do.

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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.