From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

A well-known story is told years ago about a large gathering of noted people in London. Among the invited guests to the concert was a famous preacher, Cesar Malan. A young lady played and sang to everyone’s delight. After the performance, the preacher graciously, yet boldly, approached the woman and said, “As I listened to you tonight, I thought how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefited if your talents were dedicated to His cause. You know, young lady, you are as much a sinner in the sight of God as a drunkard in the ditch. But I’m glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, can cleanse from all sin.”

The woman snapped out a rebuke for his presumption, to which he replied, “My dear lady, I mean no offense. I pray God’s Spirit will convict you.” That night the young girl retired but could not sleep. The face of the preacher appeared before her and his words rang through her mind. At two in the morning she rose from her bed and with tears streaming down her face, Charlotte Elliott wrote her famous poem:

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Coming to the knowledge that we are inadequate in ourselves is the first step to knowing that God is all-sufficient, and that anything that is done for the good is because of Him.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

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