by Barbara Latta
Violence, murder and theft – a life of corruption and pain
filled the life of the young man
known as Billy the Kid as we read last week on
this blog.
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| Contrasting two Billy's |
He was born November 23, 1859 as William Henry McCarty and took
on the alias William Bonney and became later known as Billy the Kid due to his
youth. During his short life this young man is credited with the killing of
eight men and numerous escapades of theft, including cattle rustling.
Only 22 years later, young Billy was sentenced to hang for
his murderous exploits and after escaping jail was killed by Sheriff Pat
Garrett on July 14, 1881.
His deceptive personality was charming one moment and violent
the next which confused those he traveled with into not knowing which Billy
they would have from one moment to the next.
Compassion, love and giving – a life of self-sacrifice
filled the life of the man who would come to be known as a great evangelist.
Born November 7, 1918, William Franklin Graham, Jr. spent
the first part of his life avoiding anything religious. At the age of sixteen, Billy gave his life to Christ. After attending college and becoming an ordained
minister, this Billy started on the journey that would take him around the
world preaching the gospel of Christ and seeing millions of people’s lives
changed.
On February 21, 2018, this Billy was welcomed into the
embrace of His heavenly father and left a legacy that will continue until Jesus
returns to the earth.
Billy Graham lived almost 100 years and over 80 of it was centered
on the love of God,
while Billy the Kid only lived 22 years in a life of selfishness
and crime.
 |
| Contrasting two Billy's |
While our works do not open the gates of heaven for us, the
results of our deeds do leave a legacy that can affect others either for good
or evil.
The decisions we make will determine those works. Following
Jesus shows us the difference between a sin-filled life and a Christ-surrendered
life.
While my Christian life has had its ups and downs, a life of
backsliding and commitments, I am thankful for the upbringing I had to lead me
to Christ. Thankful that His mercies are new every morning and His forgiveness
never ends.
That same forgiveness was available to both Billy’s. One accepted
that forgiveness and his life showed the evidence of that surrender. As far as
we know the other Billy didn’t. Only God knows.
The short time we are on this earth is like a grain of sand
compared to an eternity of sandy beaches. This is our opportunity to make a
difference.
The important question for us now is, “What will we do with
Jesus?”
Please feel free to share your thoughts or testimony.
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