Writing in a devotional posted to his website over the weekend, Billy Graham painted a troubling picture of the state of the world today, describing the rampant “barbarism” and “savagery” that has crept into our social life.
He attributed the decline in “practical Christianity” as the cause for this rise in debauchery, explaining that in its place there has been an increase in rudeness, violence, neighbors quarreling with neighbors, gang wars among teens, fathers and mothers bickering, homes disintegrating.
More from Graham:
Why and how has all this savagery crept into our social life? It is because we have forgotten Jesus’ words, “Happy are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” I have seen tough, rough, hardened men open their hearts by faith, receive Christ as Savior, and become gentle, patient, merciful gentlemen.
That is the hard thing to to remember in the midst of trying and disturbing times like these, that God is still mighty to save.
Even the barbarians who seem so far beyond saving. We’re seeing unprecedented numbers of Muslims in the middle east, even some violent extremists, dreaming about Christ and converting to Christianity – which is an incredible risk in that part of the world.
Graham called on Christians to pray to be “filled with mercy and love in an angry world” and asked for God to use him and other believers to help bring peace where there is strife.
