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Q: Recently, I read an article in one of those supermarket tabloids that claimed the Bible is full of messages in secret code that can reveal the future to us. The examples given were very persuasive, but I couldn't help but wondering why God did it this way. Is this story true? - Mrs. K.McC.
A: No, it is not true - and for a very good reason: God wants us to understand the message He has given to us in the Bible. He hasn't hidden it from us; He wants us to know it so we can make it the foundation of our lives.
And the reason He wants us to understand the Bible's message is because He loves us wants us to come to Him and love Him in return. A human father doesn't refuse to tell his children what they need to know, nor does he hide it from them; he makes it as clear as possible. The same is true with God. As the Bible says, "What may be known about God is plain to them (the human race), because God has made it plain to them" (Romans 1:19).
What is the Bible's message? First, it is a message about us and our need of God. We were created to know Him - but we have chosen to go our own way, and are cut off from Him as a result. This is what the Bible calls "sin," and it tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
But the Bible also gives us a message of hope. God loves us, and He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to take away our sins and bridge the gap between us and God. He did this by dying on the cross for us, and now He offers us salvation as a free gift if we will only trust Him as our Lord and Savior. By a simple prayer of faith ask Christ to come into your life today.
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Affectionately known as the “World’s Preacher” for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history — nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories — through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
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