DEAR DR. GRAHAM: The kindest, most thoughtful person I know says she's an atheist and doesn't even believe in God. I always thought we needed to believe in God before we'd behave like she does, but I guess this isn't necessarily true, is it?

S.K.

DEAR S.K.: I'm convinced that when a person comes to Jesus Christ and commits his or her life to Him, they will become a better person than they ever were before. If your atheist friend comes to Christ one day, she'll be an even better person than she is now.

Why is she such a kind and thoughtful person? I don't know the reason; perhaps she simply has a sunny personality (as some people do), or perhaps her parents taught her to be kind and considerate when she was growing up. But I do know this: She's not this way because she's an atheist. In fact, she's this way despite her atheism — because a true atheist has no real reason to believe in right and wrong or to behave sacrificially toward others.

Pray for her, that God will open her eyes — not only to His existence, but also to His love for her. And ask God to help you be a witness to her of Christ's love and transforming power. On the outside, she may seem self-sufficient and indifferent toward God — but inside she may be spiritually empty and searching for inner peace.

Only Jesus can fill the empty places in our hearts, for He alone can give us peace — peace with God, peace with others and peace in our hearts and minds. Only He could say, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). Does His peace rule in your heart?

Tribune Media Services