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Billy Graham’s only mention of repentance was as follows, “repent of our sins and He will bless us.” This may be true, but it is so misleading that it may do positive harm. For the unredeemed, the difference between repenting and not repenting has nothing to do with mere blessing in its most common sense. Repentance is not life enhancement, it is life itself, and the blessing which it brings is much more than the prospering of a business, the growing of a family, or the acquisition of a new car. It is the blessing for which without, nothing else matters. It is the difference between eternal joy and eternal damnation. Were that it were presented on these terms and with this urgency. Let us remember that Proverbs 3:33 tells us “the curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked.” And who are the wicked but those whose sins are not covered by the death of Jesus? As such, there are a lot of homes in this land for which the curse of the Lord hangs over, and a lot of homes in this land that desperately need be warned of the grave danger they are in.
The overall thrust of the National Cathedral service was reflective of the tragic compromise that has so plagued the American church. In the name of diversity, we have lost the truth. Sweeping ecumenism has forced us to communicate in such broad terms that we are left with nothing worth communicating at all. If a message cannot save, it cannot comfort. When Billy Graham boldly proclaims that “the spirit of this nation will not be defeated by [terrorism]”, I have to wonder, what spirit is he speaking of? Ephesians 2:2 warns that those who walk according to the spirit of this world are walking by the spirit of Satan himself. Add to that I John 4:3 which tells us that the spirit at work in all those who reject Jesus Christ is the “spirit of antichrist”.
I am thankful that I live in the U.S., and I never fail to get chills when I hear Lee Greenwood belt out "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free." But there is a freedom this song knows nothing about, a true freedom purchased through the death of one man. It is a freedom for which being American means nothing. We live in a country that has become so accustomed to God’s grace, that when the smallest drops of justice fall in this vast sea of mercy, we scarce can take it in. Our government is urging us to return to “business as usual”, but I hope we will not be too quick to heed such pleas, at least as it relates to our eternal souls. It is God’s gracious provision that we should be shaken from our false sense of security, and it is often only through tragedy that we come face to face with our true condition. Now is the time to be reconciled to God, while it is still the day. The night is fast approaching and when it comes, there is only weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42).
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