The President of the United States, the leaders of both houses of congress, as many members of congress that could manage to be present, plus all manner of dignitaries, were present to give their support to this award. The popularity of Billy Graham transcended party lines as well as any other lines available.
His popularity also transcended the many religious differences that separate the different factions of what is called "Christianity" as well as other religions. Billy Graham is well noted for his relationships with the popes of the Catholic Church during his lifetime ministry.
Billy Graham was lauded for being personal friends to eight presidents, regardless of party affiliations during the time of his lifelong ministry. Special note was taken that he was also personal friends to many heads of state around the world.
Billy Graham is indeed, a true "friend of the world!" That, no one can deny!
I did not hear of even one dissent from any member of society, any religious member, nor any member of the worldwide news media being voiced against the presentation of this award. I was compelled to voice my displeasure to this event for whatever that is worth. I am completely overwhelmed by the lack of knowledge of what the Bible Scriptures record concerning this event.
My displeasure was not against Billy Graham, for his recognition of a lifetime of service to what he deems as "the ministry of the Gospel." My displeasure was not against the fact that during his ministry he amassed a fortune of over $88 million preaching "The Gospel."
My displeasure is expressed in finding out that the leaders of this country and the people of this country, which was founded on the principles and teachings of the Bible, are not at all aware that this event marked the total disintegration of the principles on which this country was founded. This, without the realization of apparently another living soul.
While Billy Graham was accepting this award, neither he, nor apparently anyone else, was aware that his earning the award as a "friend of the world," totally disqualified him for the award according to the Bible. Apostle James noted, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4
The founding fathers of this country did not qualify the scriptures but accepted them as they were written, and established this country on the principles of the scriptures as they were written.
Apostle Paul was an example of a minister of "The Gospel" and accepted his responsibilities realizing full well that his job would not be accepted with friendship of others but would result in his persecution. He recorded, "For I think that God hath set forth us apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, (not a friend, ed.) and to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised.
"Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
"I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons, I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." I Corinthians 4:9-16
When "a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matthew 8:19-20
Jesus did not receive favorable notoriety and recognition until some time after his resurrection. He was never lauded as a friend of the world at any time during his lifetime. His apostles lost their lives in the presentation of "The True Gospel of Jesus Christ" and were thus rewarded for their ministry, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
How can it be, that modern day ministers receive all kinds of accolades, monetary riches and worldwide recognition for presenting a phony conception of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ?"
The leaders of this country have shown their total lack of appreciation for the principles on which this country was founded and for the teachings of Jesus Christ himself.
It would seem that the correct picture we would have been shown in the recognition of a lifelong ministry of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" would have been more in keeping with the scene of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Did not Jesus say, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
"The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he is as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." Matthew 10:22-28
I will not waste the effort at this time to reveal the utter deception of Billy Graham's version of the "Gospel of Jesus Christ." It is sufficient to say that it is in no way in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles.
Nor will I labor the point that by amassing a fortune of over $88 million it proves that he was and is a hireling who is not worthy of his hire, "because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." John 10:12-13
Surely, we have been presented the wrong picture to the detriment of this country and to the "true Gospel of Jesus Christ."