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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I am attending a secular university and have roommates that insist purity is out of fashion. They say that purity is racist because it is compared to the color white. That has never even entered my mind. My roommates think I’m rather dull in my lifestyle, and when I hear them describe my life, I tend to agree with them – except I’ve been taught differently and I cannot easily set this aside. I guess I’m needing some assurance. – P.O.

A: The Prophet Isaiah spoke of purity in terms of the whitest thing he could think of – snow – when he said, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18, KJV).

Snow is so white that one can see almost anything that is dropped on it, even up to great distances. We can take the whitest object we can find, like newly washed clothing, but when we place it next to snow it still looks dirty by comparison.

Our lives are like that. At times, we may think of ourselves as morally good and decent, content that “we are not like other men.” But compared to God’s purity, we are defiled and filthy.

In spite of our sins and uncleanness, God still loves us. He decided to provide for us a purity we could never attain on our own. That is why He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for us on the cross. It is only when our sins have been washed in the blood of Christ that we appear as white as snow in the eyes of God. No human “detergent” of good works or clean thoughts can make us that white, that pure. Only Christ’s precious blood can purify the human heart.

We must pray that the Lord will strengthen us with His holiness and resolve to live for Him even in the face of ridicule from others.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.