Answers
By Billy Graham • November 25, 2016 • Topics: Faith
Q:
Our father says he is a Christian and believes in Jesus, and he tells my sisters and me to stop worrying about whether or not he's going to Heaven. But when we try to get him to talk about his faith, he just clams up and won't say anything. What can we do?
A:
Only God knows your father’s heart and mind, and whether or not he is truly trusting Jesus Christ for his eternal salvation. The Bible says, “The Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought” (1 Chronicles 28:9).
The Bible warns us against having a superficial belief or insincere commitment that doesn’t really affect the way we live. Jesus also said that if we refuse to openly confess our faith in Him, it indicates our faith is not real, and He cannot acknowledge us at the judgment (see Luke 12:8-9). These are serious truths, and they should make us stop and examine ourselves to be sure we have truly committed our lives to Christ.
At the same time, however, some people admittedly have a hard time talking about deeply personal matters, including their faith. Apparently your father has heard the Gospel and knows that it demands a response, and you can only trust him into God’s hands. Jesus said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life” (John 6:40).
Don’t criticize your father or nag him because he isn’t more expressive; this might make him more withdrawn. Instead, let your father know you love him, and that you hope to be with him in Heaven. The Bible says, “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5, NKJV).
