Dear Dr.  Billy Graham:

My friend is a strong Christian, and he says I need to trust Jesus in order to be saved and go to Heaven. But what does it mean to trust Jesus? I’m not sure I understand what he means.

 

— R.G.

Dear R.G.: I’m thankful your friend is concerned about you and wants you to become a true Christian by believing in Jesus and trusting Him alone for your salvation. Perhaps he’s pointed you to one of the Bible’s best-known verses (sometimes called “the Gospel in a nutshell”): “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).

But suppose you saw a bridge going from one side to the other. Not only did it appear sturdy, but you noticed others were using it. How would you reach the other side? First, you’d believe the bridge could hold you. But second, you’d actually trust it, by putting your weight on it and committing your life to it.

In a far deeper way, this is what it means to trust Jesus. First, you believe in Him — that is, you believe He is the Son of God who gave His life to pay the penalty for your sins. But second, you actually trust Him — that is, you commit your life to Him and trust Him to save you. Don’t delay any longer, but put your faith and trust in Christ today.