Is That Your Final Answer?

The tense music begins as game show host Regis Philbin stares into the eyes of the contestant.

“Is that your final answer?” he asks.

The once-confident contestant now second-guesses everything she ever knew.

If she picks the wrong answer, she walks off a loser. But if she’s right, she’s running off with a million dollars.

Regis’ hand hovers, ready to lock her answer in on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

The nervous contestant holds her breath. She glances from the four possible choices on the screen before her to the rowdy audience around her and back to Regis.

Her voice cracks as she nods. “Yes, Regis. That’s my final answer.”

What if Regis Sat Outside the Door of Heaven?

What would you answer if God placed Regis outside heaven to ask one final question:

“Why should God let you into heaven?”

Which answer would you choose?

A. I tried to live a good life.

B. I grew up in church.

C. Jesus is God’s Son.

D. Jesus is my Savior.

Cue the tense music.

Billy Graham’s Final Answer

Billy Graham wrote a column on his website called My Answer. Before he died, he wrote his final entry to be published after his death.

It was his final answer. His message from heaven.

The question put to him was:
Mr. Graham, how would you like to be remembered?

Billy’s final answer was:

I hope I will be remembered as someone who was faithful—faithful to God, faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faithful to the calling God gave me not only as an evangelist, but as a husband, father and friend.

I’m sure I’ve failed in many ways, but I take comfort in Christ’s promise of forgiveness, and I take comfort also in God’s ability to take even our most imperfect efforts and use them for His glory.

By the time you read this, I will be in heaven, and as I write this I’m looking forward with great anticipation to the day when I will be in God’s presence forever.

I’m convinced that heaven is far more glorious than anything we can possibly imagine right now, and I look forward not only to its wonder and peace, but also to the joy of being reunited with those who have gone there before me, especially my dear wife, Ruth. The Bible says, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

But I won’t be in heaven because I’ve preached to large crowds or because I’ve tried to live a good life. I’ll be in heaven for one reason: Many years ago I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to make our forgiveness possible and rose again from the dead to give us eternal life. Do you know you will go to heaven when you die? You can, by committing your life to Jesus Christ today.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

(This article first appeared March 5, 2018 on BillyGrahamLibrary.org.)

What Will Your Final Answer Be?

A. I tried to live a good life.

How good is good enough?

Perfect? I had to be perfect?

Then nevermind A.

B. I grew up in church.

I didn’t actually grow up in church. But I started attending one later and attended faithfully. 

Going to church won’t get me in? 

Then nevermind B.

C. I believe Jesus is God’s Son.

Yes, I have no doubt that Jesus is God’s Son.

Even Satan and his demons believe that?

Well, I know they’re not going to be in heaven, so nevermind C.   

D. Jesus is my Savior.

Yes, Jesus is my Savior. I know He died to pay for my sins, and I repent of my sins and surrender my life to Him. I trust Him as both my Lord and my Savior.

I choose D. I’ll take Jesus as my Savior. That’s my final answer.

Let the celebration music begin.

Cue the confetti.

The doors of heaven are opened wide. For Billy Graham and for me.

What about you?

Before we leave this world, God will lock our answer in. He knows our choice. 

What’s your final answer?  

---

Check out Billy Graham’s website and his final answer here: Billy’s Final Answer

---

 [bctt tweet=”Time to lock in your final answer. Is Billy Graham’s answer yours, too? #BillyGraham #faith” username=”inspireafire”]