Character Matters

In June of 1972, I drove from Marin County to Dallas, with the Jews for Jesus. Moishe Rosen, their founder, had invited me to accompany six of them to Explo 72, a gathering of over 80,000 mostly young believers at the Cotton Bowl. On Sunday, before the event started, Moishe asked us to hand out evangelistic tracts called broadsides at the First Baptist Church.

I was stationed at a side entrance to the massive downtown campus. As thousands of worshipers streamed into the morning service, we gave them tracts with the simple message,

It doesn’t matter if you are white, brown, or black.
It doesn’t matter if you are rich, poor, or middle class.
It doesn’t matter if you are a hippie, straight, or square….
You must be born again.

As the service was about to begin, I saw a door in a multi-story building across the street open. Several men wearing suits and sunglasses emerged and started walking towards me. I thought they were all secret service, until I recognized Billy Graham among them.

My heart was beating rapidly as they walked by me into the sanctuary. When Billy Graham approached, I held out a tract.

“God bless you Dr. Graham.”

“Thank you very much,” he replied as he paused and took the tract.

I left the side door soon afterwards, went around to the front door and squeezed into a back pew along with thousands of others in the sanctuary. After hymns, announcements, music, and an offering, Billy Graham got up to preach. Toward the end of his message he said,

It doesn’t matter if you are white, brown, or black. It doesn’t matter if you are rich, poor, or middle class. It doesn’t matter if you are a hippie, straight, or square. You must be born again!

I was stunned. For a moment I thought he might say, “And now I would like the young man who gave me that great message to come up here and join me at the pulpit!”

After that brief encounter, I had the privilege of hearing Billy Graham preach several times. He died recently at ninety-nine years old. He had preached the gospel to millions and led multitudes to Christ. Billy and Ruth were married for almost 64 years, had five children, 19 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. He had met many world leaders, presidents, and simple believers.

The legacy Billy Graham left to the body of Christ was great because of his steadfast character. He stayed faithful to Jesus Christ and to his wife. He managed his great ministry with great integrity. He resisted temptations sexually and financially. He didn’t compromise the gospel message. He integrated his crusades. He admitted his mistakes and confessed his sin when he did something wrong.

Whether you are a president, prince, pauper, or pastor your character matters as much as your accomplishments.  “What does it matter if we gain the whole world and lose our soul?” Our character magnifies or diminishes our impact and determines our legacy. It is formed as we respond to suffering and trials. The choices we make under pressure either shape us into mature disciples or fragment our souls. The cost of discipleship is painful at times, but the reward for staying faithful to Jesus is great.