Hi Matt,
Your words sparked a thought and I thought I would respond.
You wrote:
I don't care what his personal/business motives are. What I do care is that he leads people astray, and that's ashame. Plus that fact that IF, IF he's a 33rd degree Mason, AND he's leading people astray, then that's all planned, folks. 1 + 1 always equals 2. I think there is more to him leading people away, just as there is more than it being a shame. Likewise, I believe the following words of Paul, hold a deeper meaning than what might first be seen.
Rom 9:20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus? We can easily turn this around, but not accusatory but with a truthful mindset and ask God: "What is it that I am to learn from Billy Graham?" Billy Graham is not leading people away, the people are being led away by their own carnal desires, in accordance to God's will. Please never think that Billy Graham or the like has more influence than God.
The only shame is that "we" the enlightened, may miss the spiritual significance behind the likes of he.
Perhaps the most important thing is that we thank and praise God for granting us his Spirit of Truth.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. And plead with him that He never takes it away, because if he does, we will not recieve it back in this life time. I'm not sure about you, but this is a very sobering thought,
Hebrew 6:4-6 [NIV]
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,
6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because [fn2] to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.So in conclusion, Billy Graham cannot direct his own steps, or think in anyway that could change the direction of his life.
Jer 10:23
O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Mat 6:27
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? As you say, "It's all planned, folks"
Your brother in Christ,
Darren