Billy Graham died today.

Learning that on my way to work this morning didn’t make me sad. He lived a long life on earth, and I’m confident that he is rejoicing with Christ today. However, it did lead me to think a bit about evangelism and about cultural icons.

Billy Graham wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes. He acknowledged that he made mistakes. He was still mightily used by God to bring a message of revival and repentance to a nation full of what one book I am reading calls “secular Christians” and later to the world.

I tend to think of Billy Graham as an evangelist, but I believe it’s important to remember that he was more than that. His call was not only to repentance, but also to discipleship. One quote from his devotions is: “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” He preached on such issues, not just about our need for Christ.

He also preached on subjects like racism, pointing out that the Bible has no basis for segregation, but that all are in equal need of the cross and have equal welcome there. He pointed out many of the inconsistencies of Christians when we get hung up on sins such as homosexuality and make them somehow more important than other sins such as pride and jealousy.

And yet, the man was a man, with the imperfections we all possess. So what should we learn from looking back at the life of one of the visible men of God in the past century?

I am reminded that to be “after God’s own heart” is not a description of perfection but rather of love and commitment. I believe that Billy Graham was a man after God’s own heart. But I read Psalm 51 this morning, which is a strong reminder that repentance, love of God, and commitment are the keys to that moniker, not a perfection which none of us can achieve on earth.

I’m also reminded that the key to a Christian life is that daily commitment to Christ and a focus on God. God–not a pastor, a teacher, a friend, a mentor, but God–must be the center and focus of my life. Anyone else will fall short as a role model. Jesus is the only perfect example, and other Christians are valuable role models only as they point me toward him.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Photo by Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash