Within you there is an emptiness -a vacuum. You've tried to find satisfaction.
Drinking, smoking, petting, indulging in shameful sex has not filled that void. Yet, you seek for greater thrills; you cultivate a deeper love for the pleasures of this world. You've tried to convince yourself that you are happy, but HELL rages within.
SOON! you will stand before the almighty God on the judgment day and give an account of every dirty joke, curse word, evil action, and neglected opportunity of being saved from all sin.
NOW , is your opportunity to get right with God. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation," II Cor. 6:2. You can experience a new life in Jesus Christ who said: "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
To experience this new life in Christ, you must realize that you are a sinner, a rebel against God; that the practice of sin will damn your soul forever in hell. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," Rom. 3:23. Moreover, God's Word proclaims: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," Ezek. 18:20.
As a sinner you cannot save yourself. Going to mass or confession, Sunday school or church, does not mean that you are a Christian. Baptism and the sacraments are for "born again" believers and do not make you a child of God. Good works and living a good moral life will not merit you Eternal Life. God pronounces, "all your righteousness is as filthy rags." Henceforth, there is only one way to be saved-Jesus Christ. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9.
All sinners need a Saviour. You are a sinner - you need a Saviour. Don't be sorry you've been caught, but be sorry you've sinned. Repent with a godly sorrow for having rebelled against God. Jesus proclaimed, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:5.
REPENTANCE means confessing all our sins. "If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness I John 1:9. REPENTANCE means forsaking all sin; a complete turning away from being a rebel, from ungodly friends, from conformity with the world, from secret sins and habits of the flesh, from filthy books and naked photographs, from dirty stories and unclean jokes, from everything and everybody that would hinder you from being one hundred per cent for Jesus Christ. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy," Prov. 28:13. REPENTANCE means making restitution. In other words, make your back paths straight; make things right with those whom you have wronged. This includes taking back stolen property or paying back stolen money. Restitution involves- the asking of forgiveness of parents for improper attitudes towards them, disobedience, and disrespect. Clean up your back life.
True repentance will bring faith into operation. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," Heb. 11:6. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," Rom. 10:13.
Christ will fill the void within. He will give you peace, joy, and true satisfaction. He offers you LIFE! The devil offers you the thrills of pleasure for a season, but with heartache, pain, and, finally eternity in hell.
Jesus Christ said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me," Rev. 3:20. Jesus is outside the door of your heart. Ask Him to come in and take complete control of your heart and life -
NOW! HE SATISFIES!
This tract is sent out with the desire of leading souls to Christ. Additional copies available for an offering of 75c per 100, $4.00 per 1000. For free copies state how many you can prayerfully use.
Today we are facing social diseases that were rarely heard of or seen before. In the past few years, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) have been breaking out and rampaging out of control in many nations. The remedies that have been applied to contain the well-known social diseases of the past are ineffective in treating these new hybrids. Medical experts are perplexed, government authorities are alarmed, and the populace in general is fearful. Invariably, the question is asked, "What can be done?" Will researchers and scientists find a remedy to contain these new dreaded diseases?
In the summer of 1981, a few cases of virus-caused AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) appeared in homosexual men. Within several years, the disease grew to a worldwide epidemic, striking at least 100,000 victims, including more than 30,000 in the United States alone. Thousands more have since contracted the virus. Virtually every one of its victims is likely to die of the disease. AIDS targets the immune system of the body, destroying cells that the body needs to fight off infection. It produces many genetic variations that hinder development of effective vaccines.
The cause of this new disease is quite evident. Authorities agree that AIDS is contracted primarily through permissive and promiscuous social conduct. Of the cases reported in the United States as of March 1987, about 90 per cent were found in homosexual/bisexuals and intravenous drug users. Even though it is possible to contract the disease otherwise, the possibility is very remote: only about one in a million.
Indeed, the pleasures of sin are for a season! God made the human body and instructed man in its proper use. Also, God fixed the consequences of defying the divine physical laws. Social perversion invites social diseases, mutilated bodies, troubled minds, and premature deaths.
The Bible injunctions against premarital, extramarital, and homosexual practices are for a purpose (Romans 1:24-32). "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). God gave these principles for the protection of persons, families, societies, and nations. When disregarded, as they are today, the promised judgment of God will come.
Will a cure be found for these dreaded diseases? Even if it would be, the real cure will not be found primarily within the realm of the scientific and medical, but rather within the realm of the moral and spiritual. Someone has suggested that the answer is "behavior modification among the target populations. " That is a fine suggestion, but how can a person modify his behavior and lifestyle when he loves it and finds pleasure in it? Where within the resources of mankind can such a power be found?
The power is not found within the resources of man. The social pervert will continue his lifestyle even in the face of disease and death. He does not have the will or the power to change. But a power is available to not only modify the lifestyle but to change the heart and life; the power is available when Jesus becomes Lord of the life. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The high cost of low living goes even beyond this life. The agony of physical suffering is minor when compared with the tragedy of spiritual darkness and eternal death. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). But the eternal consequences of low living can be averted. Jesus Christ is the answer.
We find this answer by realizing our lost condition and by exercising faith in the blood ofJesus. As we confess Him and yield our lives to Him, He transforms us into new creatures who love to do His will. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:9-13). Through Him we can find the power to live free from the moral perversions of our day and to enjoy a life of purity.
-Eby W_ Burkholder
CHARITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
59 S. Groffdale Road
Leola, Pa. 17540 USA
Phone: (717) 733-2697
22E202 Rod and Staff Publishers, Inc., Crockett, KY 41413. Printed in U.S.A. Telephone 606 / 522-4348.
Pierced tongue? Pierced eyebrow?
Pierced ears? Pierced cheek?
Pierced lip? Pierced nose?
Which piercing hurt the most?
Tongue? Yikes!
Nose? Yikes!
Actually, the piercing that hurts the most is the one that you've probably never thought about:
The hole that was pierced through your soul.
CONSIDER THIS...
Have you ever met a kid that had to be taught to NOT share? "Oh no, sweetheart. You're sharing too much." I DON'T THINK SO!
Have you ever heard of a baby that had to be taught TO whine? "Dear, you just need to whine a little more to get what you need." I DON'T THINK SO!
We are just born selfish and self-centered, choosing to defy authority from birth. That's sin.
BORN WITH A HOLE IN OUR SOULS ...
What gauge of body piercing jewelry can fit that hole? 12 gauge? 16? 20?
There is NO body jewelry that will do for the hole pierced by sin.
Except 2,000 year old...
The nails that pierced the hands and feet of Jesus Christ perfectly fit the hole that sin pierced through your heart. The pierced body of God Himself (in Jesus) provides the only "jewelry" that will ever fit the hole in your soul ... the hole in your fife.
The hands and feet of Jesus were nailed to the cross, providing what you need for the hole pierced in the middle of your soul... so that you could truly live. Your inner spirit needs to go from death (caused by sin) to life. The hole pierced in your spirit needs the only thing that Will fit...
* ..nails ... pounded through the hands and feet of the Son of God. Hammered - - - into a rough, wooden cross as He sacrificed His life for you.
WORDS ABOUT Jesus...
A band of evil men has encircled me, they have
pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16
But he (Jesus) was pierced for our transgres-
sions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
He himself (Jesus) bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
-Cheryl Tomlinson
If you would like to begin a relationship with the One who was pierced for you, you can do that right now. In your own way, just tell Jesus that you believe His sacrifice on the cross completely fills the hole sin created in your soul. He wants to give you peace and healing like you've never -known.
You could tell Him through a prayer like this...
"Jesus, I admit I have a hole in my heart that really hurts, and I'm asking You to fill it. Thank You for dying on the cross in my place. I accept Your healing and forgiveness of my failures and sins.
"Come into my life today .. I want to know You."
I have told Jesus I believe Him.
Please send me free literature.
American Tract Society - P.O. Box 462008 - Garland, TX 75046
SO, you wanna be a Rock'n' Roll Star? Think again. Consider how a lot of them lived and ultimately died. For them, fame, wealth and success did not bring happiness. They never dreamed they would end up like this.
John "Bonzo" Bonham (1948-1980)
Led Zeppelin's Drummer. Drank heavily and took "speed balls" - a mixture of heroin and cocaine. Found dead after an all-night drinking binge. He choked on his own vomit.
Alan Freed (1922-1965)
The disc jockey who first coined the phrase "Rock 'n' Roll". He died drunk and broke after a money scandal ruined his career.
Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)
Famous lead guitarist who choked on his own vomit after drinking wine, smoking dope, and taking a handful of pills.
Brian Jones (1943-1969)
Original member of the Rolling Stones who drowned as a result of a drug overdose.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970)
Blues singer who split her head open after overdosing on heroin. She said all she wanted was to party and get stoned. When she died, her body was riddled with syphilis.
John Lennon (1940-1980)
The Beatles leader and song writer who once said, "Christianity will go ... it will vanish ... We are more popular than Jesus now".' He died, having been shot five times by an insane fan.
Keith "Moon the Loon" Moon (1946-1978)
The Who's drummer. He once smeared human waste on his living room walls, and ultimately died of a drug overdose.
Jim Morrison (1943-1971)
The Door's lead singer. He died of a heart attack after alcohol wrecked his body.
Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
Called "The King" of Rock. During his last 5 years he was constantly stoned. When he died, his body contained 14 different drugs.
Bon Scott (1947-1980)
AC/DC's lead singer. Sang "I'm on a Highway to Hell." Died from alcohol abuse.
John Simon "Sid Vicious" Ritchie (1958-1979)
A bisexual, Punk Rocker with Sex Pistols. He allegedly killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide.
Dennis Wilson (1944-1983)
Member of the Beach Boys who squandered millions, married five times, was an alcoholic and took drugs. He drowned while drunk.
Jesus Christ (died at 33 years of age)
His earthly ministry lasted only 3 1/2 years, but He freed multitudes. Today He has hundreds of millions of followers.
You can be a "Rock Star" of a different kind. The Bible says that Jesus is the "Rock" (someone solid to believe in), and that anyone who follows Him will shine as a "Star" forever and ever.
Don't waste your life like those we have just mentioned. Live for Jesus, "the Rock that doesn't Roll" and be really free!
For more information on Rock & Roll, write to: Truth About Rock, Box 9222, North St. Paul, Mn. 55109
Do you take religion like I take vitamins - not too seriously? I suggest three excuses.
Number one, there are so many different kinds of vitamins. Everybody thinks his own kind is best! Who knows?
Number two, I don't care for a healthier-than-thou attitude. Especially not when I meet a health "expert" who looks as unhealthy as anybody in the community. If that's vitamins, I don't want any!
Number three, I've tried them before, and never could get too excited about what they did for me. If other people give glowing testimonies about how a vitamin program healed them of this or that problem, fine. I guess I'm just different. Maybe sometime if I develop a big pain, I'll look into vitamins again as a last resort. But for now, no.
Of course you see the parallel between vitamins and religion. People avoid much religion because, for one thing, there are so many religions that anybody shopping for one is likely to get confused. For another thing, some of the religious people they have met don't seem to be any more righteous than the nonreligious people. And isn't righteousness what religion is all about? Finally, what religion they have tried didn't seem to do much for them.
Any answers?
Let's take the last objection first. So you've tried religion before? The answer might surprise you. It isn't "religion" you need-not garments, diets, rosaries, and ceremonies-but, first of all, Jesus Christ. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). Religion without Jesus will always leave you cold. Church activities are useful, like a knife, a fork, and a spoon, but you know it takes real food to satisfy your stomach. Jesus is that food for our souls. "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).
Furthermore, this business of "trying a little religion" is worthless. The Christian faith is sure to disappoint you if you only dabble in it. It's not something that's nice if you have the time and are in the right mood. It's not something to tune up somebody who is already healthy. Jesus did not say, "I am vitamins. You'll feel better if you take Me." He said, "I am the bread of life," and again, "I am the resurrection, and the life." It's a matter of life and death. Our souls will live forever or die forever, depending on what we do with Jesus.
Now regarding the objection that some church people are poor advertisements for their "faith," that objection is actually a fact. But it's also a fact that no great cause ever existed that didn't have some unworthy people calling themselves by its name. Should a man refuse to go to any doctor because he knows a bad doctor? Should we quit eating because we know a dishonest grocer?
Remember, too, that God will sort everybody out in the end. Jesus Christ knows which people call themselves Christians but in reality are hypocrites. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." None of them will enter glory, no matter what they call themselves.
Finally, regarding the many, many religions, don't you see your enemy's strategy behind it all? If you wanted to stop the public from buying the original brand of Vitamin R, what better way to discourage them than to throw a hundred other brands onto the market? This is what Satan has done to the original Gospel. And his strategy is working all too well. People are saying, "I try not to get too involved in religion. I just get confused because everybody says he has the only way." No wonder the more religions there are the better Satan likes it. Will you and I play into his hands?
No one needs to be so confused. There is still only one Bible (although a few cults may have produced their own). And there is still only one way. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13, 14). "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
Start with the beginning of the New Testament and read the stories of Jesus. Skim the parts you don't understand and live up to what you do understand.
So you're not much of a reader? Well, don't try to read it all at once. Read what you can every day. Again I say, live up to it. Jesus said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know . . . . " which is another way of saying that if you want to do what God tells you, He will have something to tell you. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32).
To live like this is the only honest way to live. And you will discover it to be worth more than vitamins to you.
Hundreds of us - sitting, standing, leaning against the fence-blended together with one anticipation. A young man was making his way through the steadily increasing multitude, stopping occasionally to speak to the people. "Windowpane, two dollars a trip," he quietly offered as he squatted near where we sat. Little green crystals of LSD lay enticingly in his extended hand. The deal was made, the "acid" was swallowed, and within an hour it began its work in us. Marijuana smoke hung over the crowd as pipes and "joints" were passed to and fro among the youthful gathering. The drugs being used made us more keenly aware of and "tuned in" with a controlling spirit in the air that we could almost feel. Finally the gates were opened and with a rush of excitement we surged through, running to claim spots of grass before the towering speakers which vibrated with ear-splitting resoundings the remainder of the day.
The artificial "high” of many in the audience gave us a kindred spirit common to drug users: a realization of the utter vanity of hacking out our little slot in this confused and materialistic world. This drug-induced "enlightenment" enticed us, creating a desire for more and more of the awareness and power offered through the highs.
Just who or what is this spirit, this force that we felt kindred with? The Bible calls him "the god of this world," "the prince of the power of the air." Yes, Satan, the devil, who "abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44). So why would Satan want to reveal any truth, as he seemingly does to drug users who often become aware of the greedy spirit behind the world's material pursuit? He took the same approach with Eve in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1-13), speaking some truth and then pointing her in the wrong direction. Even so now is the deceiver's scheme, successfully alluring many who are not satisfied with the greediness of the world. "Away with the capitalist pigs, get in tune with life, get high," is the cry.
But, friends, it's not real! I never got high without again falling back to grim reality, facing a troubled heart and an aching void. Anyone who has experienced it need not be told of the vomiting, cramps, hangover, despair, and withdrawal pains that welcome us home from our "trip." I've been there and know for sure (as you do too if you are honest with yourself) that it is not the answer, but only makes us less and less able to cope with the real world, while responsibilities become more impossible to deal with. The cry of our soul grows dimmer, our ear to hear and our will to respond to truth becomes duller, as clarity of thought is taken from us. Will you listen to the father of lies and believe him? Will you swallow his counterfeit?
Is this "brotherhood" that you feel a part of, really motivated by love, meekness, kindness, and patience? Consider the true source of brotherly love, the Lord Jesus Christ, full of purity and goodness. "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
The Way out from under the driving power of sin, with all its misery. Jesus Christ gave His life to "deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:15); "for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). 1 can testify, dear friend, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God" (Psalm 40:2, 3).
The Truth: Praise God for something solid, giving deep, settled peace based on fact, not on highs. "For ever, 0 Lord, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). Face the Bible honestly, openly, and you will read yourself in it. As a lamp it will make each step plain, leading on to life as you grasp and believe each truth it unfolds.
And the Life: "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:12). "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).
My repeated futile attempts to find meaning, purpose, and just something to live for through drugs, sports, music, sex, and suchlike, left me with nothing but frustration and shattered hopes. I began to recognize my lusts as equivalent to those whom I accused. I finally realized I was dead, dead in sin, but I believed Jesus' words, forsook sin, and found the true way of escape: "life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Jesus pleads, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Come join us in the light of reality, with the Saviour, the bright and morning star-reality for now and through eternity.
-Ed Sillman
Come souls that are longing for pleasure, Our Saviour has pleasures to give; Come find in His love the rare treasure, That makes ev'ry true pleasure live.
Come now saith the Lord, let us reason, Come now and your purpose declare:
Is it pleasures of sin for a season,
Or pleasures the glorified share?
CHARITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
59 S Groffdale RD
Leola, PA 17540 USA
Phone: 717-656-4155
Immodest apparel is one of the great sins of the day. The god of pride, style
and fashion seems to dominate the greater part of the world. This god is
probably causing more immorality than any one other god.
After Adam and Eve fell into transgression they became aware of their nakedness.
In shame they tried to hide themselves from God, their Creator. To hide their
nakedness God gave them coats of skin and thus they were properly clothed. Since
then, and throughout all ages, God has given to mankind, and especially His own
people, the virtue of proper attire. Nevertheless it is as Jeremiah cried, "Were
they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all
ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that
fall" (Jeremiah 8:12).
The objective of the idol of style and fashion is to arouse the passions of the
opposite sex. This leads to much immorality and abominable sins. Dr.
Luchtenstein of Tombs Prison in New York, who spoke authoritatively on causes of
crime, says, "I have seen in twelve years 170,000 prisoners. The crimes of
passion are increasing alarmingly and will until the cause is eliminated. The
cause is the present style of dress which is, to say the least, form very
immodest. Short and formfitting dresses with low necks, short sleeves, and such
like have a direct bearing on crime incitation no matter how innocent the wearer
may be." Someone has said that if every underworld style could be thrown into
the deepest hell, much sorrow and lamentation would be avoided. Dr. Talmadge
said, "Thousands of men are in hell,
whose damnation is due to improper dress of women, to say nothing of the women
who caused it." Another writer said, "The demons of the street watch
little girls and others who are half dressed, and have their passions aroused,
then attack them to satisfy their lust." Parents who dress their little children
indecently are partakers of such crimes, for they are encouraging baseful and
wicked passion.
In Isaiah 3:18-24, is a list of many things that women do to appear beautiful,
ending with this warning,"there shall be burning instead of beauty." Together
with many other warnings, every professing Christian should give the most
earnest heed to this warning and not be guilty of serving the immoral god of
style and fashion. The apostle Peter admonishes to "abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war agaihst the soul" (I Peter 2: 11). Transformation of the heart is not
to be partial, but it must be complete. While we are not saved by modest
apparel, it is according to the Word of God, evidence that we are saved from the
fashion god. Many heart-rending quotations could be mentioned on this subject,
but to God's people and all God fearing souls a hint should be sufficient.
While statesmen and lawmen see the evil results of worldly fashions, dare we as
Christians stand idly by and not take the more earnest heed to such a vital
subject which brings with it death sins? It is easy to ignore the teachings of
the Bible and depart from modesty to immodesty because the styles change from
time to time. Modernists teach, "if the heart is right all is right," until
finally many sins are tolerated including the wearing of jewelry and fashionable
clothings which a regenerated heart cannot allow, for it is consecrated to God
and separated from worldly and immodest styles (Romans 12:1,2).
God will judge all men according to their works and sins. God's people and all
God fearing souls will have to give an account of their stewardship (John 5:29;
2 Corinthians 5: 10). Judgment must begin at the house of God (I Peter 4:17).
Christian fathers, mothers, ministers, teachers, and all, are we doing our part
toward stemming the tide-the waves of which threaten to engulf our very loved
ones? We must remember that God according to His Word will not hold us
guiltless. We are responsible to be a light to the world and should be alert
watchmen on the walls of Zion. The following scriptures will judge us now and
also in the final judgment: "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in
MODEST APPAREL ... not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array"
(1 Timothy 2:9). "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world"
(I John 2:15). "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the
former lusts in your ignorance:" (1 Peter 1: 14). "Whose adorning let it not be
that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel" (I Peter 3:3). There are other direct commands against
fashion, such as immodesty, changes of apparel, and conformity to present modern
styles.
Whatever alludes to women's attire is also applicable to men's attire. With God
there is no respect of persons. Whenever men wear clothes for embellishing or
adorning and seek the latest in modern styles, this, of course displays a spirit
of worldliness.
The scripture says, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man,
neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination
unto the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 22:5). Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"
(Ephesians 5: 11). To the Thessalonians Paul wrote "Abstain from all appearance
of evil." God demands holy and righteous living of His people. Furthermore,
God's statutes and ordinances are for our protection and good. He, in His
foreknowledge, saw the abominable sins that would result from immodesty.
Therefore His Word warns to protect against immoral and immodest conduct.
Obedience to the Word of God offers great protection-the promise of keeping in
the hour of trial. The present styles of
dress and undress cause much impure thinking that many times leads to such
hideous sins as kidnappings, rape and murder.
In the spiritual darkness and confusion of today some people are asking the
question, 'Has the Church any authority to teach against worldliness in dress,
and demand nonconformity'? Yes, the commission to the Church Is: "Teaching them
to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:20). "And I
will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).
The Bible teaches against the works of the flesh. In Galatians 5:19-21, many
sins are named and then this expression is used, "and of such like." This proves
that there are also unnamed sins existing that God's people must take a
determined stand against. We are commanded to submit ourselves to the ordinances
of men as long as they do not conflict with the Word of God. Necessarily, we
conclude that the Church has no less authority and responsibility over its
members. In Titus chapter 2, many good virtues are named, teaching all to deny
ungodliness and worldly lust, and finally saying, -fbese things speak, and
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee" (Titus 2:15).
We cannot serve two masters (Luke 16:13).
Let us never be ashamed to honor our Lord and Master by dressing modestly and
plainly. We should escape the sin and shame that fashionable attire brings with
it. Rather than to follow the course of the world, let us shine as lights in
this dark world. The Christian is to be an example of righteousness. If
therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, HOW GREAT IS THAT DARKNESS! The
god of fashion, a great idol of today, has won and is winning many people to
serve and worship it. A Christian cannot bow down before this idol's altar and
still be true to God. Christians are required to give their undivided service
and allegiance to their Master. Christians must not remove the ancient
landmarks. This applies in all things, including proper attire. It is the
Christian's responsibility to preserve and promote modesty in apparel, and avoid
and protect against immodest dress. How sad for the soul who will be found
guilty as a partaker of this great sin of today. "What then shall I do when God
riseth up? and when He visiteth, and what shall I answer Him?" (Job 31:14).
GOSPEL TRACT AND BIBLE SOCIETY
P.O. Box 700
Moundridge, Kansas 67107 U.S.A.
Published by the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite
Printed in U.S.A.
LOST is a chilling word to anyone who has had the experience. Our emotions are stirred and whole communities and nations are aroused when some child strays away or some daring aviator is lost in the mountains. Thousands of men will volunteer to search for the child; rescue planes and millions of dollars come to the aid of stranded aviators. But where is the interest and concern for the multitudes who are lost in the churches?
Two sad illustrations of lost men are Judas Iscariot and Simon the sorcerer. Judas Iscariot was a personal disciple and apostle of our Lord. He is an illustration of one who did not continue in the grace of God and who later went into apostasy and died without hope. Some do not believe that Judas was ever saved; they say he was a devil from the beginning. But our Lord would not have chosen a devil as an apostle, nor would He have sent out such a one to cast out devils, heal the sick, and preach the Gospel as He did the Twelve. Judas is an illustration of a man lost under the personal ministry of the Son of God. God Himself cannot keep a free moral agent who departs from or ignores the conditions of safekeeping as laid down by the Gospel of Christ.
Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8) believed the Gospel message as preached by Philip, but he did not receive Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord. His heart was not right with God, although he was baptized in the apostolic way and became a visible member of the apostolic church. The unreality of his Christian experience became evident when he talked about spiritual things in money terms. Simon was told to repent of his wickedness and false profession, but history records that he did not, becoming, instead, an opponent of Christianity, fighting it until death.
Of greatest importance to everyone is the question: "Is my heart right with God?" It is evident that many people will discover the sad fact that they are lost after it is too late to be saved.
You May Have --
You may have had Christian parents, but that will not pass you through heaven's gate without Christ.
You may observe the ordinances of the church, which are right and necessary for saved people, but it will not avail you anything if your sins are unforgiven.
You may deny yourself of many worldly pleasures and pay all of your financial obligations to the world and to the church, but this is no passport to glory without the grace of God.
You may be honest and fair with your fellow men in every way, but this will not make you a Christian. On the other hand, rest assured that if you are born-again you will be conscientiously honest and fair in every activity and transaction in life.
You may be a Sunday school teacher, a church worker, a class leader and spend much time in Christian activity and yet not know the Lord.
- "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22, 23).
You cannot know the joy of salvation if you have never known the horror of being lost. No one but a lost soul has any claim on the grace of God, nor will they feel the need for it. If you have not been a sinner, then you have not needed salvation, and Christ has not done anything for you personally.
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
Take This Test
1. Have you confessed your sin and forsaken it?
2. Has your confession led you to make restitution as far as humanly possible?
3. Do you have a desire to go to the house of God for worship?
4. Do you enjoy private prayer and fellowship with God?
5. Does Jesus Christ have the pre-eminence in your life and thinking?
6. Do you know that "old things are passed away" and "all things are become new" as an evidence of the New Birth?
7. Does the Word of God feed and satisfy your soul's desires?
8. Does it send a chill of horror over your soul to hear people take the Name of God in vain?
9. Are you conscious of the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life and conduct?
10. Have you found the companionship of the unsaved to be chilling or unpleasant to you since you have become a Christian?
11. Does it grieve your heart to see professed Christians going to or participating in ball games, swimming pools, card parties, and other worldly attractions and amusements?
12. Do you have a desire to see others saved, and have you testified to the unsaved concerning the reality of salvation?
13. Do you have love toward all men, the witness of the Spirit within, and are you maintaining a conscience void of offense toward God and men?
14. In other words, are you saved and do you know it? It is God's will that we know. 2 Timothy 1: 12; 1 John 5:13.
Will you be ready for the wedding when the cry goes forth, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him"? Multitudes will be like the foolish virgins, having a profession but no light. To be lost in the church when death finds you, or when the Lord returns, means to be lost forever. Salvation is too precious, the Saviour too loving, eternity too long, and the opportunities to be saved too numerous to justify anyone remaining in an unsaved state.
"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6, 7).
-J. L. Stauffer
What a girl! As she entered the room, everyone stopped and paid special attention. How beautiful and charming she was! But Patty was not just another pretty face. She was also intelligent. You know the type-she never took books home from school but still got good grades.
Her personality and charm filled the room. Whether you were rich or poor, popular or unpopular, Patty had a place in her life for you. You knew she would always be there for you. Energy seemed to radiate from her. There seemed to be no end to her liveliness, until one day ...
What happened? Passing through an intersection on her way home, her car was hit broad side. When they pulled her from the wreckage, the once lively and energetic Patty was cold and lifeless-dead on arrival at the local hospital. It seemed so unfair! She was so young and had such a bright future! One moment she had the world in her hands, and the next moment she was gone.
I am sure she never realized when she left home that it would be the last time she would see her parents or friends. When she left school she had every intention of returning the next day-but she never did.
Life is so precious, and yet we seem to fly through it, never really considering how short it is. We forget that we do not own our next breath. As precious as life is, it can end in an instant, just like Patty's.
What then? The problem with Patty was that she never made plans for what comes after death. I don't mean making a will or buying life insurance. I mean making sure where she would spend eternity. She neglected to secure the most important life you can have eternal life in heaven.
God offers us a gift more valuable than life on earth. This gift is life in heaven with His own Son, Jesus Christ. But Jesus had to die to open the way for us to get to heaven and escape hell. Just as we forget how short life is, we also forget the most wonderful gift of all-new fife in Jesus Christ.
You see, everyone who has ever lived has sinned and disobeyed God. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). Since we have sinned, we cannot enter heaven, because "the wages of sin is death." But the good news is that "the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
What now? How can we not accept this wonderful and priceless, yet completely FREE gift? Don't be like Patty-full of life but not concerned about her eternal future. Make plans for eternity right now. You never know when you may enter it!
Remember the greatest gift of all, and be assured of the most wonderful future that money can't buy. Give your life to Jesus Christ. Confess your sins to Him. He is the Savior of all who trust Him, and can be yours too!
'If you confess with your mouth the Lord
Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved!" (Romans 10:9).
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A miner was passing a meetinghouse one night and went in. The minister was speaking of the holiness of God and of the awful situation of those who were still unprepared and might be called at any moment to meet God. He begged his hearers to ask themselves the question, "Am I ready to meet God?" He urged them to answer it now, for now was the accepted time. God was willing now, and they were alive tonight. Tomorrow might be too late.
The miner thought, "I am not ready to meet God. I have lived a careless, godless life. I dare not meet His holy eye. How can I make peace with Him? I am such a sinner, I dare not stand before Him." These truths troubled him so much that he could not go away, but waited till the people went out. Then he told the minister his fears.
The man of God tried to lead him to Jesus. "Jesus is your peace," he said, but the miner found none. An hour passed by. The minister laid the way of salvation clearly before him and prayed with him and for him.
"Now," he said, "it is late. Go home and seek your Saviour there."
"No," said the miner. "I beg you to let me stay a little longer; it must be settled tonight. "
"You must go home," said the minister. "It is late, and I can do no more for you. I cannot make it clearer to you."
"It must be settled tonight," answered the miner with increased earnestness.
Once more the minister spoke of Jesus and gave him promise after promise; once more he prayed, but in vain. The minister grew more and more troubled. "I must 90, 11 said the minister reluctantly. "It will soon be morning. Go home. Tomorrow night there is a meeting here; maybe you will find peace then."
"Sir," said the poor man, "I cannot leave this room until I find peace. Tomorrow may be too late, and I may be in hell. It must be settled tonight."
"By the help of God," the minister said, "it shall be settled tonight, and I will not leave you until you find peace." Again he spoke of the finished work of Christ. Again he prayed, the miner foHowing his words with sobs and tears, and at last the hght broke in on his darkness.
"I see it! " he cried. "My peace is made with God. It is settled. I have to thank God for it! I do! I do! Praise His Name! It is settled." And they knelt again, but this time to thank God that He had heard their cry and saved the miner's soul.
The next day the miner went to his work. During the day he went alone to a distant part of the mine to fetch some tools, and as he was long in returning, his fellow workers went to look for him.
They found that a mass of rock had fallen upon him and that he was buried in the ruins. They worked with pick and spade, hoping to save him, and at last they uncovered one of his hands. It was warm. He was still living! And as they bent over him, a faint sound came from beneath the fragments of rock, rubbish, and stone that hid him from sight. He was speaking. "I thank God it was settled last night. Settled forever. I am His. Tonight would have been too late, but thank God it was settled last night!"
When at last they uncovered his crushed body, he had gone to God.
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 25:13).
YOUR LAST 5 MINUTES
Someone just died!
For the next five minutes, I want you to live as if it were your lost moments alive. After all, someone in your city will die in the next few minutes. It could be you. Why not?
When you are dead, someone will place a sheet or maybe a blanket over your head. An ambulance will take you to the hospital for an autopsy. The undertaker will be called, and arrangements will be made to place you in a grave, People will come to the funeral and shed tears over your lifeless body. They will look at your cold, blank face and mourn, but you will be gone.
They will slowly drive to a cemetery with your body in a casket. At the cemetery they will carry your casket to a hole in the ground and lower it down. People will cry. The men will cover your casket with dirt and a tombstone. Your name, the date of your birth and today's date will be on the stone.
The people will leave, recover, and perhaps someday, forget that your body is there.
Your five minutes are almost gone, so I must get to the point. When your time is up and you have died, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? We have already decided where your body is going, but what about your soul?! Will you be in heaven or hell? Oh, yes, you will be at one place or the other, so in these remaining minutes I will tell you what to do to get to the place of your choice,
TO GO TO HELL...
Do nothing! You hove already done enough! "For the wages of sin is death; " Romans 6.23a
TO GO TO HEAVEN...
1. BELIEVE YOU ARE A SINNER, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23
2. BELIEVE YOU DESERVE TO GO TO HELL. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: " Romans 5. 12
3. BELIEVE JESUS DIED TO PAY FOR YOUR SINS. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
4. TRUST JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOUR.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. " Romans 10:13
Your time is short in this world, The decision is your own personal responsibility. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Hebrews 9:27
I will tell you what you must do to go to heaven. Acknowledge your sins and admit that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness. Confess to God that you know Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried and resurrected and now sits at the right hand of God the Father to save your soul. Ask Him to help you turn from your unbelief and come into your heart and save you for Jesus' sake. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. " Romans 10:9. Did you receive Him as your Saviour? If you did, you are ready to go to heaven.
There's nothing to it. You may do it a dozen times a day. Yet-6, 000 people were killed last year-just crossing the street. 165, 000 people were injured last year-just crossing the street.
So it isn't so simple, after all-not just something you do as a matter of course. Not anymore. Crossing the street these days is grim business. Maybe you cross-maybe you don't.
Maybe you meet your friend across the street-maybe you meet God! It may be you will reach the corner drugstore, orwill it be a miserable corner in hell that you carelessly dash into? The expected hours of thrill in the movie across the street may suddenly become unexpected hourless eternity of terror forever beyond relief.
Grim business, yes! But there is something you can do about it. Look before you leap! Be ready before you attempt to cross. Life in an armchair is dangerous -without God; and crossing the street without God is a gamble with death and eternity.
Be ready. "And while they went to buy . . . (Jesus Christ) came; and they that were ready went in with him. . . and the door was shut" (Matthew 25:10). "Be ye therefore ready. . . for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not" (Luke 12:40).
There is only one way to get ready. It is a simple way. A man in danger of his life cried out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The answer came, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30, 31). ". . . the blood of ... Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
The answer was not: be baptized, unite with our church, turn a new leaf, begin doing good deeds, or anything of the kind. But -as soon as the man experienced "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21b), he wanted to be baptized and unite with God's people. He experienced more than "turning over a new leaf"; he received a new life -the divine life! He was "born again," and that newly born life showed itself in good works. Salvation comes first as a gift from God, without any merit of our own; this salvation is outwardly evidenced by the Christian's works which follow. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19a).
Before you cross another street, prepare for a safe crossing. It may be just across the street-or, to eternity!
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"All creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22) Human suffering was great when that was written over 1,900 years ago. Many were depressed. Therefore, Christians were urged: "Speak consolingly to the depressed souls." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14.
Today, human distress is even greater, and more people than ever are depressed. But should that surprise us? Not really, for the Bible identifies these as "the last days" and calls them "critical times hard to deal with." (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Jesus Christ foretold that during the last days, there would be "anguish of nations" and "men [would] become faint out of .fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth."-Luke 21:7-11, 25-27; Matthew 24:3-14.
When people experience prolonged anxiety, fear, grief, or other such negative emotions, they often become depressed. The cause of depression or extreme sadness may be the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job, or an unrelenting sickness. People also become depressed when they develop a sense of worthlessness, when they feet they are a failure and have let everyone down. Anyone may be devastated by a stressful situation, but when a person develops a sense of hopelessness and is unable to see any way out of a bad situation, severe depression may result.
People in ancient times experienced similar feelings. job suffered sickness and personal misfortune. He felt that God had abandoned him, so he expressed a loathing toward life. (job 10: 1; 29:2, 4, 5 ) Jacob was depressed over the apparent death of his son, refusing to be comforted and wishing to die. (Genesis 37:33-35) Feeling guilt over serious error, King David lamented: "All day long I have walked about sad. I have grown numb.-Psalm 38-.6, 8; 2 Corinthians 7:5, 6.
Today, many have become depressed because of overtaxing themselves, trying to follow a daily routine that is beyond their mental, emotional, and physical resources. Apparently stress, coupled with negative thoughts and emotions, can affect the body and contribute to a chemical imbalance in the brain, thus producing depression.-Compare Proverbs 14:30.
Help That They Need
Epaphroditus, a first-century Christian from Philippi, became "depressed because [his friends] heard he had fallen sick." Epaphroditus, who had become sick after being sent to Rome by his friends with provisions for the apostle Paul, perhaps felt he had let his friends down and that they considered him a failure. (Philippians 2:25-27; 4:18) How did the apostle Paul help?
He sent Epaphroditus home with a letter to the Philippian friends that said: "Give [Epaphroditus] the customary welcome in the Lord withall joy; and keep holding men of that sort dear." (Philippians 2:28-30) The fact that Paul spoke so highly of him and that the Philippians welcomed him with warmth and affection, surely must have consoled Epaphroditus and helped toward relieving, his depression.
Without a doubt, the Bible's advice to "speak consolingly to the depressed souls" is the very best. "You need to know that others care about you as a person, said a woman who suffered from depression. "You need to hear someone say, 'I understand; you'll be all right.'"
The person who is depressed often needs to take the initiative by seeking out an empathetic person in whom to confide. This one should be a good listener and be very patient. He or she should avoid lecturing the depressed one or making judgmental statements, such as, 'You shouldn't feet like that' or, 'That's the wrong attitude.' The depressed person's emotions are fragile, and such critical comments will only make him feel worse about himself.
One who is depressed may feel worthless. (Jonah 4:3) Yet, a person should remember that what really counts is how God values one. Men held Jesus Christ "as of no account," but this did not change his real worth to God. (Isaiah 53:3) Be assured, just as God loves his dear Son, he loves you too. -John 3:16
Jesus pitied those in distress and tried to help them see their individual worth- (Matthew 9:36; 11:28-30; 14:14) He explained that God values even small, insignificant sparrows. "'Not one of them goes forgotten before God," he said. How much more does he value humans who try to do his will! Of these Jesus said- "Even the hairs of your heads are all numbered.-Luke 12:6, 7.
True, it may be hard for a person who is severely depressed, who is overwhelmed with his weaknesses and shortcomings, to believe that God so highly values him. He may feet certain that he is unworthy of God's love and care. "Our hearts may condemn us," God's Word acknowledges. But is that the determining factor? No it is not. God realizes that sinful humans may think negatively and even condemn themselves. So his Word comforts them: "God is greater than our hearts and knows all things."-1 John 3:19, 20.
Yes, our loving heavenly Father sees more than our sins and mistakes. He knows of extenuating circumstances, our whole life course, our motives and intentions. He knows that we inherited sin, sickness, and death and therefore have great limitations. The fact that we feel grieved and vexed with ourselves is in itself proof that we do not want to sin and have not gone too far. The Bible says that we were "subjected to futility" against our will. So God sympathizes with our miserable plight, and he compassionately takes it into consideration our weaknesses.-Romans 5:12; 8:20.
"Jehovah is merciful and gracious," we are assured, "far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us has he put our transgressions. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust." (Psalm 101,18 12, 14) Truly, Jehovah is "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation."-2 Corinthians 1: 1.
The help depressed ones need the most comes from drawing close to their merciful God and accepting his invitation to 'throw their burden upon him.' He can indeed "revive the heart of the ones being crushed." (Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 57:15) So God's Word encourages prayer, saying: "Throw all your anxiety upon [Jehovah], because he cares for you." ( I Peter 5:7) Yes, by means of prayer and supplication persons can draw close to God and enjoy "the peace of God that excel all thought. "-Philippians 4:6, 7; Psalm 16:8, 9.
Practical adjustments in life-style can also help one overcome a depressed mood. Physical exercise, eating wholesome food, getting fresh air and sufficient rest, and avoiding execssive TV watching are all important. One woman has helped depressed ones by getting them to do vigorous walking. When a depressed lady said: "I don't want to go for a walk,", the woman gently but firmly answered: "Yes, you're going." The woman reported: 'We walked four miles. When we returned, she was tired, but she felt better. You can't believe how helpful vigorous exercise is until you try it.'
However, sometimes it is impossible to defeat depression completely, even when everything has been tried, including medical therapies. "I have tried everything," a middle-aged woman said, "but the depression remains." Similarly, it is now often impossible to heal the blind, the deaf, or the lame.
Yet depressed ones can find comfort and hope by regularly reading God's Word, which provides the certain hope of permanent relief from all human ills.-Romans 12:12; 15:4.
When No One Will Be Depressed Again
When Jesus described the terrible things coming upon the earth ill the last days, he added: "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near." (Luke 21:28) Jesus was talking about deliverance into God's righteous new world, where “creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God."-Romans 8:21.
What a relief it will be for humankind to be freed of the burdens of the past and to awaken each day with crystal-clear minds, eager to tackle the day's activity! No longer will anyone be hampered by the cloud of depression. The sure promise to mankind is that God "will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."-Revelation 21:3, 4.
Unless otherwise Indicated, all Bible quotations an from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
1992 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
Over the heads of the crowd the confident cry rang out, "There is no answer to prayer; it's all imagination. Don't be carried away. Use your common sense. There is no hereafter. When we are dead, we are done for."
The speaker was standing at the foot of a monument erected in an open space of a busy city. He had an excellent gift of speech and a winning manner. A large crowd of men and women stood around listening. In a persuasive voice he tried to prove the nonexistence of God and the inefficacy of prayer, concluding with a professed readiness to debate the question with any person in the audience.
At this juncture a man was seen making his way from the edge of the crowd toward the speaker, saying at the same time, "I accept the challenge."
The people eagerly made way for this champion of prayer, and in a few moments he was standing on the step of the monument facing the crowd. He was tall and well dressed, but he was no orator. He had no set phrases to tickle the ear; he had not the winning, catchy demeanor of his opponent. For a moment or two he stood looking at the sea of faces before him, faces waiting with eager expectancy for him to open the debate. A flush of color came over his features, and the sweat stood in beads on his brow.
"Friends, I am not a public speaker," he said. "I did not come to this meeting with the intention of disputing anything our friend might say; but when he denied that there is any efficacy in prayer, and challenged anyone to prove the contrary, I felt bound to come forward." The crowd cheered the frank yet modest statement.
He went on again: "You see standing before you a man who was once as big a scoundrel as it was possible to find in the city. I was a drunkard, a gambler, a wife beater; yes, everything the word brute implies. My wife and child dreaded the sound of my footsteps; and yet, bad as I was, for years my wife had been praying for me, unknown to me, and she taught my child to pray."
He paused for a moment, as if overcome with sadness at the memory, and then continued: "One night I went home unexpectedly, rather earlier than usual, and, by accident, sober. When I opened the door, my wife had just gone upstairs to put the little one to bed. I stood listening at the foot of the stairs. My child was praying; she was praying for me. 'Dear Lord, save my daddy! Save my dear daddy!' And as she prayed in her simple, childlike Way, I heard my wife saying, with a sob in her throat, 'Lord Jesus, answer her prayer.'
"They did not know I was listening. I crept softly out of the house into the street. Strange feelings were coming over me, and ringing in my ears was my child's prayer: 'Lord Jesus, save my dear daddy!' Was I indeed dear to that child? In what way? She had never known a father's love. I questioned whether she had ever known a father's kiss. And as I thought of it, a great lump came into my throat, tears filled my eyes, and I cried aloud, 'Lord, help me. Lord, answer my child's prayer.' And He did.
"Years have passed since then. Today I am a Christian. My past is repented of. I five in the present a new creature in Christ Jesus."
Again he paused, and then said earnestly: "Friends, don't you think I should have been a coward if I had kept silent today? Can I do other than believe there is a God, and that He not only hears but answers prayer?"
The skeptic made no reply. The man's story had moved the crowd to tears; and when he finished speaking, the people went silently and reverently away.
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).
"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19).
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13).
" If ye abide in me, and my, words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).
-The Way
22E 170 Rod and Staff Publishers, Inc., Crockett, KY 41413. Telephone 606 522-4348. Printed in U.S.A.
We live in a time of demonstrations which change not the heart or morals, but make headline news the world over. Yet the imperative demonstration is of the Holy Spirit and His power (1 Cor. 2.4). The best news may never reach headlines. Such is concerning the Lord Jesus Christ who "came to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19.10); "and put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb. 9.26).
'Tis He alone who can change the ugly picture and plight of our times 'for if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; b e h o 1 d all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).
In spite of good intentions, millions spent, the frantic efforts of legislators and law enforcers, the worst is yet to come; 'for every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation" (Matt. 12:25); "and they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt. 26:52).
So much talk as to Black, Green, White and student power but the only message that shall change hearts is "the gospel of Christ which is the Power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1, 16).
Sad that a country so great, founded upon Christian principles, has deteriorated so because of a lack of faith in "him who upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Neb. 1: 3). "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins" (Prove 10:12). Love that beareth, believeth, hopeth, endureth all things and never faileth, when practiced will solve the perplexing problems of our day. "He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love,' (I John 4.-8; see also 1 Car. 13:7, 8).
While many make the issue SKIN, the truth is the real issue is SIN, and this is the cause of broken hearts, homes, and our nation being in the throes of chaos. Tradition binds while truth frees. The only answer, though despised in our times in general, is the love of God as manifested in Christ Jesus, who "laid down his life for us; who once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).
"Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8.32). 'Tim not a matter of class, but Christ. Not race but grace and such is God's riches at Christ's expense. (See Eon. 2:8).
This peace is ours by simply putting our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who knew no sin, but was made to be sin for us "that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Car. 5:21).
Thus as a Negro seeking not sympathy, or sensationalism, but indeed concerned about my fellow citizens regardless of nationality, and who knows without doubt, '!for I know whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1.-12), that the Lord Jesus Christ who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification, is the only answer for whatever the dilemma. I am convinced that trusting in Him will do what men, methods and means have thus far and shall continue to fail in achieving as 'faith is the victory that overcometh the world" (I John 5:4). 0 that men would repent and be reconciled to God who is no respector of persons.
Friend of mine, the Lord Jesus says, 11 . he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HA TH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10:9).
-DO IT Now-
For the Bible says, "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Heb.3.7, 8). "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10: 13).
Sam Dalton.
Limited quantities of tracts free for prayerful distribution. Biblical counsel available to persons with troubled hearts. Grace & Truth, 210 Chestnut St., Danville, IL 61832.
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YOU MAY BE SINCERELY WRONG!
BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT!
Can one be saved from hell and go to heaven by sincerely trusting in good works and religion? No more than you can be cured of stomach trouble by swallowing some carbolic acid! It is not sincerity alone that counts you better be sure you get hold of the right bottle.
If you can be saved by good works clean living, morality, religious ceremony, baptism, church membership, or being a deacon or choir member, then the Word of God is not true, for He says salvation is "the GIFT of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. " Eph. 2:8-9
God also declares with a clearness no thinking person can miss: "NOT by works of righteousness which WE have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:5
In the face of these two verses, how can you have any hope of escaping hell and going to heaven by your good works or religion? God loves you, my friend. Believe HIM, not the religious leaders who tell you that you can be saved by your good life.
Wake up, my friend, to the facts. Jesus said, "Ye must be born again." Better to wake up now to this truth and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, than to wake up in hell like the rich man did (Luke 16:23) - when it was too late.
I heard a man testify, "I have been the president of the men's Bible class in our church for the past two years, but I didn't get saved until two months ago." He woke up in time.
Anything short of the experience of the new birth, through faith in the Son of God who died and rose again, is nothing but religion. It is not enough. It will fail you. You will die a lost soul.
You know you are a lost, condemned sinner. "For all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). And "The wages of sin is death.
Rom. 6:23
But Christ died on the cross to bear your sins. "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. " I Peter 3:18
Now God offers His Son to you. You can receive Him or reject Him. What you do with Him determines your eternal destiny - heaven or hell.
ABORTION – THERE IS A WAY BACK
IT WAS OVER
Nancy had an abortion three years ago. At the time, she thought that abortion was the only way out of her predicament; it was the solution for her problem pregnancy. it was a difficult decision, but she went ahead and had it done. Right after the abortion, she felt relieved. No longer did she have to face pregnancy, the child, and the consequences. She was free to get on with the rest of her life. it was over. Or so she thought.
NAGGING GUILT
Then came the nagging feelings of guilt. She thought, "Maybe I should have had the child after all. Perhaps it would not have been so bad. If the burden was too great, I could have given it up for adoption."
She began to experience the common side effects of abortion. Often she wondered about the color of the baby's hair and eyes, and what the child would, -now be doing if -it had been allowed to grow up. Gradually her self-esteem eroded. She had bouts of depression, anger, and fear, particularly around the date the baby would have been born. Sometimes nightmares would haunt her. Occasionally she turned to alcohol in an attempt to dull the pain in her heart. Yet try as she might, she could n'ot escape the fact that she had killed her own child.
Nancy wondered, "Will I be tormented for the rest of my life? Can I ever forgive myself? Can God ever forgive me? Is there any way back to the love of God?"
THE WAY BACK
The taking of an innocent human life is an appalling sin. But there is a way back for those who recognize their sin and look to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. In the Bible, both King David and the apostle Paul participated in murder (2 Sam. 12:9; Acts 8:11; 9:1). Yet when they repented, God forgave and restored them (Ps. 51; 1 Cor. 15:9-10). Their sin affected them for the rest of their lives, but God's forgiveness helped heal their pain and give them the strength to go on.
THERE IS RELIEF
God offers hope to all, including those involved in the taking of human life by abortion. Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sin of the whole world. He paid the penalty for all our wrongdoing. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all u n righteousness" (I John 1:9 NIV). "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1 NIV).
GOD FORGIVES
God always welcomes us back and helps rebuild our shattered lives. The way back is to turn to God in repentance and receive His forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
One summer day two young farm boys decided to pass time by throwing rotten eggs against a large rock. After throwing several eggs, however, the boys came to the tragic realization that not all of the eggs were rotten. In fact, some had been only days away from hatching. Closer examination revealed broken, fragile bodies spilling out from shattered shells. Large eyes and tiny beaks gave the embryos a helpless, pitiful look. Their curled but fully developed yellow legs would never run behind a clucking mother hen. With curious shame the boys watched the spastic movements of the dying chicks.
In Psalm 139, King David thanks God for the wonder of the divine plan that made and continues to make all living things. He ponders the complexity of his being and rejoices in his place in the scheme of creation when he says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.... I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (vv. 13-16 N IV).
Today more than 17,000,000 babies have been torn from the wombs in which they were growing according to the Master's design. More lives have been destroyed in the United States through legal abortion than were lost in all the wars fought by this nation in its 200-year history. Since 1973, 12 times more living but unborn children have died than the combined, recorded fatalities of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and both World War I and World War IL
Long ago the Israelites sinned against God. "They poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed tothe idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood" (Ps. 106:38 RSV).
How could God's chosen people have fallen so far as to commit the atrocity of sacrificing their children to idols? The natural depravity of human beings exists in every generation and always leads people away from God and the way He would have us live.
Apparently the high regard and appreciation for human life held by King David was as scarce among the Israelites of Bible times as it is in our current American society. Over 4,000 unborn children are daily sacrificed through abortion to the idols of materialism, convenience, and profit. Have we become so desensitized by our culture that, unlike the two farm boys, we no longer feel shame for the casual destruction of life? As certainly as God punished the Israelites for their sin (Ps. 106:40-42) God still holds accountable nations that do not Protect innocent Life.
Yet, our God remains ever a God of steadfast love. To all who feel sorrow and remorse for their wrongdoings, including the taking of human life through abortion, God offers hope and forgiveness through Jesus. His Son made pardon and peace possible for us through His suffering and death on the cross. I John 1:9 reminds us that God wi I I always welcome us back and offer His help in rebuilding our shattered lives. He will use the failures of His children to bring them closer to Himself restoring the joy of His salvation and keeping us faithful through the gift of His Spirit.
Rodney Rathmann
The Mormon church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) claims to worship Jesus Christ. Mormonism claims to be a Christian church, but it does not have the same Jesus as Christianity. Mormonism worships a false Christ
(11 Cor 11:4).
The Bible says that Christ was begotten by the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35). The Mormon church denies this. The second president of the Mormon church declared, "Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, pg. 51). In fact, the Mormon Jesus was begotten by a sexual relationship between Mary and God the Father (who has a body). One early Mormon leader wrote, "it was the personage of the Father who begat the body of Jesus" (The Seer, pg. 158). Presentday Mormon apostle Bruce McConkie says of Christ, "he was begotten, conceived and born in the normal and natural course of events, for he is the Son of God, and that designation means what it says" (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 742).
The Jesus of the Bible is God. He has always been God (John 11, Philip. 2:6, Neb. 1.8). This is not true of the Mormon Jesus. According to the Mormon church, Jesus became A god. Joseph Smith said, "I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit; and these three constitute ... three Gods" (History of the Church, Vol. 6, pg. 474). In October of 1984, one Mormon apostle stated, "Anyone who believes and teaches of God the Father, and accepts the divinity of Christ, and of the Holy Ghost, teaches a plurality of Gods" (Ensign, Nov. 84, pg. 68). Mormon apostle Bruce McConkie says, "the Lord Jesus worked out his own salvation" (Our Relationship with the Lord, pg. 9).
In the Bible Jesus is worshipped (matt. 8:2, Mark 5A Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Neb. 1:6). Mormonism says that Jesus is not to be worshipped. Bruce McConkie declares, "We do not worship the Son" (Our Relationship with the Lord, pg. 5). To a Mormon, Jesus is merely "an important member of the Godhead" (Ensign, Jan. 84, pg. 17).
The Biblical Jesus was the most forgiving of men. He declared, "the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56). He showed this in the events surrounding His crucifixion and resurrection. He was mocked, spit upon, beaten, and whipped. Pilate's soldiers crowned Him with thorns. Yet Jesus made no attempt to defend Himself, though He could have called upon thousands of angels to aid Him (man. 26:53). As the soldiers nailed Him to the cross, Christ prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). At Christ's death there was an earthquake that tore the veil of the temple in half but did no other damage (Man. 27:50&51). At His resurrection there was another earthquake that also did no damage. Instead, "the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves" (Matt. 27:52&53).
This is not the Mormon Jesus. The Book of Mormon contains an account of the events that supposedly took place in the western hemisphere at Christ's death. According to this account, 16 cities were destroyed with all their inhabitants, some being burned, some sinking into the sea, and some being buried under tons of earth and rock. The Book of Mormon tells us that those who "killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out" were spared, while innocent women and children died (3 Nephi 8:25). When the destruction was complete a voice was heard, taking credit for the lives lost and the cities laid in ruins. According to the Book of Mormon, the one responsible for this carnage was "Jesus Christ the Son of God" (3 Nephi 9:15). Rather than being a Savior, the Mormon Jesus is a slaughterer. The Christ of the Bible came "that they might have life" (John 1o:1o). The Mormon Jesus is responsible for the deaths of uncounted thousands.
Mormon leaders have admitted that they believe in another Jesus. One official of the Mormon church has declared, "It is true that many of the Christian churches worship a different Jesus Christ than is worshipped by the Mormons" (Ensign, May 77, pg. 26).
There is no salvation in worshipping a false Christ. Jesus Himself warned His disciples to beware of false Christs (matt. 24:241)~ A Jesus who is not the real Jesus has no power to save. Only by placing complete trust in the Jesus of the Bible can one obtain eternal life. Paul warned of "another Jesus" (11 Cor. 11:4). The Mormon Jesus is another Jesus.
Trusting in the Jesus of Mormonism can never lead to eternal life. The Bible portrays the true Jesus and outlines the true plan of salvation. Only the Jesus of the Bible can offer eternal life, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
How does one obtain eternal life? The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Believe here does not mean to simply acknowledge Jesus as the Savior, or to merely say that one believes in Him. The word believe in the Bible means to place total and complete trust in Christ, to depend on Him alone for eternal life. Church membership cannot save. Baptism cannot save. Good works or good morals cannot save. Only the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, can provide eternal life. The Bible says, "I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee" 0S. 57:12). Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:29).
Don't place your trust in a church, or in baptism, or in a
prophet, or in a false Christ. Put your faith solely in the Jesus of the Bible. He promises that 'Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). If YOU will trust Him, He will keep His promise.
Utah Missions, Inc
Please send this tract to let us know that after reading it, you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
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ALL TRACTS FREE AS THE LORD PROVIDES.
Tract No. 147
HIS WARNING
HIS PENALTY
HIS CURE
I John 1:17
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the BLOOD of Jesus Christ His son cleanseth us from all SIN.
The WARNING!
Leviticus Chapter 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: It is abomination.
Romans Chapter 1:27 & 32
And likewise also the men leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; Men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Who knowing the judgement (sic) of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but, have pleasure in them that do them.
Jude verse 10 & 13
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: But what they know naturally, as brute beast, in those things they corrupt themselves.
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; Wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
The PENALTY!!
(Death & Eternal Hell Fire)
I Corinthians Chapter 6:9 & 10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulters, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves (sic), nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
Friend, if any of the above pertains to you, your doom is sealed and the only hope you have is
God's Mercy and His Saving and Healing Grace. If you don't turn from your sin you will die and lift your eyes up in a Burning HELL!!
Hebrews Chapter 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the judgement.
Revelation Chapter 20:12 & 15
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened which is the Book of Life: And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
The CURE!!
(Morality According to God's Word:)
This is the natural use of a man or a woman's affections. You are not born a homosexual person. God does not lie and according to His word:
Genesis Chapter 2:24
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Sex Outside of Marriage Is Also Wrong.
I Corinthians Chapter 7:2
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Matthew Chapter 17:17
17 0 faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?
Luke Chapter 13:3
3 1 tell you, nay: But except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish.
Dear sinner, confess and forsake your sin,
and let Jesus save you. Come back to your
natural life before God's wrath abides on
you - Morality through the Blood of Jesus ! ! !
SALVATION by the BLOOD of JESUS!!!
Pilgrim Tract Society, Randleman, N. C. 27317
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Testimony of A Dying Catholic Girl
"Mother," said a dying girl, "it is hard to die and leave this life."
"Yes, my dear, and I would gladly give my life for yours but you have seen the priest, and you have confessed and received absolution and you need not fear."
"Tis true," said the dying girl. "I confessed all the sins I could think of, and the priest gave me absolution. But with all that, I shall soon be In purgatory, and you know, dear mother, that you are so very, very poor that you cannot have masses said for my soul."
The unhappy mother felt the truth of her words and said: "Yes, my dear child, I am very poor but I'll work day and night and earn money to get your soul out of purgatory. Do you think your poor mother could rest until she knew you were delivered from purgatorial pains?"
"Mother, I so often think of my Cousin Catherine. She was so happy before she died and she never confessed to a priest nor received absolution, and she did not believe In purgatory, yet believed she was going straight to heaven."
"Catherine was a heretic, my child; she was not in the true Church. It is better for you to be troubled than to die in error like she did."
"I often think of the beautiful words she said when she was dying; they were like this, Mother: 'When I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Tell me, Mother, what did she mean? I have no rod or staff, and oh! I have nothing that comforts me, and I can only think of the flames that await me in purgatory."
"My dear child, don't think about It: disease Is weakening your spirit. Leave all that to the priest. Try and rest, and don't think of your cousin Catherine any more."
"I will try for your sake, dear Mother, not to think about it, but I can't help thinking how much better It would be if we could go straight to heaven when we die, and not go to purgatory at all."
"People like us do not go straight to heaven. We must follow the way the priest has taught us.
"But, Mother, that way Is so difficult, and it frightens me to think that suppose I were there and they could not got me out."
"Hush, my child, for it the priest heard all you say he surely would ask for so many masses that I could never get money enough to have them all said. But here comes your brother; he will talk to you while I go to my work."
The brother had come some distance to see the dear sister he so much loved. He perceived there was no hope and sitting beside her he said:
"Sister, what were Mother and you saying about Cousin Catherine?"
"I was saying how glad I would be If I were as happy as she was. She had not confessed to the priest or received absolution. She said It was not necessary and that she had no fear."
"Dear sister, It was because she loved God and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. She had no reason to fear. Jesus Himself spoke to her soul and comforted her by the assurance of His love and of forgiveness of her sins. What need had she of a priest to assure her of all this?"
"What, brother! Are you also a heretic?"
"Sister, do not alarm yourself. I do not deny the truth. I have read the Word of God for Myself and I found It so full of love for poor sinners that it has become more precious to me than all the world."
"Have you then a Bible? How did you procure It? Did you ask the priest for It? Does he know that you have it?"
"No, no! I assure you, I did not ask him for It. I met a Bible reader, and I thought I would like a Bible for myself and I asked for one, and the good man gave it to me and I read It and saw how sinners could be saved. I have found pardon and am happy."
"Oh! my brother, why did you not come sooner to tell me this? But tell me, brother, quick, to there anything In the Bible about Purgatory?"
"I have searched from beginning to end of the Book and I could not find one single word about purgatory; the priest knows It is not there, and that Is the reason he will not let us read It. I assure you, dear sister, there Is but one thing that will make you as happy as Catherine."
"What is It, brother? I would give all the world to be sure that my sins are forgiven."
"It Is this," said the brother as he drew from his pocket the Bible which had been the means of bringing salvation to his soul; and he read John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And again he read I Tim. 1:15: "This Is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." And 2:5: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." He also read: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin."
"Those are beautiful words," said the dying girl, "but how can I know they are for me?"
"But, sister, you do not believe I would deceive you?"
"Oh no, dear brother, you were always kind to me."
"Then will you not have confidence in Jesus who died for you? Listen to what He says to all who, like you, are burdened with their sins and need pardon: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' (Matt. 11:28) 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' (John 6:37) Could you think for one moment that Jesus would have suffered half the chastisement and leave us to suffer the other half? That is the teaching of the priest, but pot the Word of God. Death to those who bel !eve in Jesus has no terror. 0, my sister, look to Jesus, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. When you leave this world you will go straight to Him."
The brother ceased speaking, but blessed and happy were the moments spent with the dying sister, who but a few moments before was the victim of ignorance and superstition. But blessed be God, the Holy Spirit penetrated into the soul of the dying girl and helped her to see by faith, Christ, the Lamb of God, who died to save her.
"Oh, brother, now I understand it all. I, too, am happy. Jesus has forgiven me my sins and given me peace and joy. Glory to His name." And in that blessed assurance, after a few days of suffering, she left this world to be forever with the Lord in heaven.
This tract is sent out with the desire of leading souls to Christ. Additional copies available for an offering of 750 per 100, $4.00 per 1000, or for free copies state how many you can prayerfully use.
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"...it is the blood -- an atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:11
One spring evening many years ago, an old Jewish gentleman gave the following personal account to a meeting of fellow Hebrews.
"This is Passover week among you, my Jewish brethren, and as I sit here I was thinking how you will be observing it. You will have to put away all leaven from your houses; you will eat the Matzoth (unleavened wafers) and the roasted Lamb. You will attend the synagogue and carry out the ritual and direction of the Talmud; but you forget, my brethren, that you have everything but that which Jehovah required first of all. He did not say, 'When I see the leaven put away, or when I see you eat the Matzoth or the Lamb or go to the synagogue,' but His word was, 'When I see the Blood I will pass over you.' Ah, my brethren, you cannot substitute anything for this. You must have blood, Blood, Blood!"
As he reiterated this word with ever-increasing emphasis, his black eyes flashed warningly, and his Jewish hearers trembled before him. "Blood!" It is an awful word, for one who reveres the ancient oracles, and yet has no sacrifice. Turn where he will in the Book, the blood meets him; but let him seek where he may, he cannot find it in the Judaism of the present.
After a moment's pause, the old man went on somewhat as follows: "I was born in Palestine, nearly seventy years ago. As a child I was taught to read the law, the Psalms, and the prophets. I attended the synagogue and learned what I was told, that ours was the true and only religion, but as I grew older and studied the law more intently, I was struck by the place the blood had in all the ceremonies outlined there, and equally struck by its utter absence in the ritual in which I was brought up. Again and again I read Exodus 12 and Leviticus 16 and 17, and the latter chapters especially made me tremble, as I thought of the great day of atonement and the place the blood had there. Day and night one verse would ring in my ears: 'It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul.' I knew I had broken the law. I needed atonement. Year after year, on that day, I beat my breast as I confessed my need of it; but it was to be made by blood, and there was no Blood!
In my distress I at last opened my heart to a learned and venerable rabbi. He told me that God was angry with His people, the temple was destroyed, and a Mohammedan mosque was reared up in its place. The only spot on this earth where we dare shed the blood of sacrifice, in accordance with Deuteronomy 12 and Leviticus 17, was desecrated and our nation scattered. That was why there was no blood. God had Himself closed the way to carry out the solemn service of the great day of atonement. Now we must turn to the Talmud, and rest on its instructions, and trust in the mercy of God and the merits of the fathers.
I tried to be satisfied, but could not. Something seemed to say that the law was unaltered, even though our temple was destroyed. Nothing else but the blood could atone for the soul. We dare not shed blood for atonement elsewhere than in the place the Lord had chosen. Then we were left without an atonement at all. The thought filled me with horror. In my distress I consulted many other rabbis. I had but one great question, 'Mere can I find the blood of atonement?'
I was over thirty years of age when I left Palestine and came to Constantinople, with my still unanswered question ever before my mind, and my soul exceedingly troubled about my sins.
One night I was walking down one of the narrow streets of that city, when I saw a sign telling of a meeting for Jews. Curiosity led me to open the door and go in. just as I took a seat l heard a man say: 'The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' It was my first introduction to Christianity, but I listened breathlessly as the speaker told how God had declared that 'Without shedding of blood is no remission, 'but that He had given His only begotten Son, the Lamb of God, to die, and all who trusted in His Blood were forgiven all their iniquities. This was the Messiah of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah; this was the Sufferer of Psalm 22. Ah, my brethren, I had found the blood atonement at last. I trusted it, and now I love to read the New Testament and see how all the shadows of the law are fulfilled in Jesus. His Blood has been shed for sinners. It has satisfied God, and it is the only means of salvation for either Jew or Gentile."
Reader, have you yet found the Blood of atonement? Are you trusting in God's smitten Lamb?
IT IS WRITTEN IN GOD'S WORD
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Tract Nm 161
MARY'S COMMAND
In the gospel of St. John we read of the marriage feast at Cana. Here Mary emphasizes the importance of Jesus, her son, and the words that He speaks.
Realizing that the wine was gone, and that she herself could not do anything, she tells Jesus, the only One who could do something. Mary then gives the servants A COMMAND, one that we all should consider. "His mother saith unto the servants, WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT." JOHN 2:5.
This is the only recording in the Bible where Mary gives a command, so most certainly all Roman Catholics should take heed to her words... "WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT."
Since the goal of all good Roman Catholics is to get to heaven, let us look in the Bible and do what Mary said to do; see what Jesus says and do it.
* JESUS SAYS ... He is the ONLY one that can be your Saviour. "Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, BUT BY ME:'JOHN 14:&
HE DID NOT SAY ... to trust in saints, the pope, or even His mother, Mary, to save you. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is NONE OTHER NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved:' AM, 4:12.
* JESUS SAYS ... FAITH IN HIM, is the only kind that can save you. "He that BELIEVETH ON THE SON hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him:' JOHN 3:36.
HE DID NOT SAY ... special sacrifices or good works were needed to help save you. "But to him THAT WORKETH NOT, but believeth ON HIM that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED for righteousness:' ROMANS 4:&
* JESUS SAYS ... EVERLASTING life is the only kind He gives. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath EVERLASTING life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life:'JOHN 5:24.
HE DID NOT SAY ... it was probationary life which depended on our keeping it or we'd lose it. "And I give unto them ETERNAL life; and they shall NEVER PERISH, neither shall any man pluck them out of MY hand:' JOHN 10:29
* JESUS SAYS ... GOD'S words are the only authority to follow. "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not MY words, bath one that judgeth him: THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, the same shall judge him in the last day2' JOHN 12:48.
HE DID NOT SAY ... traditions or the commandments of men were HIS words. "How be it IN VAIN do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men:' "Making the word of God of none effect THROUGH YOUR TRADITION, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye:' MK 7.7&t3.
Friend, you can RIGHT NOW be saved and KNOW that you have ETERNAL life, if you will put your "complete" faith in Jesus Christ, and stop relying on yourself, church, sacraments, or anything else to save or help save you. Jesus is the Saviour. Do you believe He can save you, or don't you? "These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; that ye may KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God:' I JOHN 5:13 The very moment you COMPLETELY TRUST Jesus Christ as YOUR Saviour and Lord ... THAT VERY MOMENT ... you are saved FOREVER!
WHAT IS YOUR DECISION?
* I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE WHAT JESUS SAYS. I know that I am a sinner, and for the first time I really believe that Jesus Christ can do for me what He says. I have just now prayed and trusted Him to be my Saviour. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved:' ROMANS 10:13.
* I FEEL THIS TRACT IS ANTI-CATHOLIC.
Friend, the reason we gave you this tract is because we
love you and do not want to see you go to Hell when you
die. If you feel this tract is Anti-Catholic, you had better
re-examine your beliefs. Anyone who rejects what JE SUS
CHRIST says is... ANTI-CHRIST. "He that is not with
me is against me;" MATTHEW 12:30a.
Please send this tract to us to let us know that after reading it, you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
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You've come a long way baby ....
So goes the cigarette ad of a few years ago, telling how far women have come and now are able to "smoke" in public. Yes, our women have come a long way, but which way are they going? It would seem they are going in the wrong direction.
God made a special creation in the woman, completing the lonely man and making a help meet for him. Surely God did not intend for our ladies to be "hard" drinkers, smell like smokestacks, go almost naked, slaughter little babies by having them cut to pieces or their brains sucked out with a vacuum. Yes, women have come a long way, they are more worldly, more like men, more cursing, more drinking, more leaving the home, more leaving the children without a mainstay in their life. Someone has truly said, "The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world." There is more lesbianism than ever before, women with women, which the Bible utterly condemns and pronounces the awful judgment of God upon it. It is unnatural and wrong. (Romans 1:26)
God created woman for man - Gen. 2:20-22 "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof-, And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man."
God created woman to be virtuous -
Prov. 31:10,11 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safety trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil."
God created woman to guide the home - "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5.
God created woman to dress modestly - "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety-, not with broided (sic) hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." I Timothy 2:9, 10
Women have such an important role in the family. We must once again make the home a godly place, warm with love and understanding. Women (and men) need to come a long way back to God. Lady, if you died today, would you spend eternity in heaven or hell? Christ is calling you back to Him - your home needs a Christian mother.
Romans 10:9,10,13 - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
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All tracts are KJV. Tract 029 02/97
CAMPUS SMALL TALK AND CHRISTIANITY
"Wasn't that a rough test old 'Honest Abe' Appleby gave us?"
This was the conversation opener as a pair of none-too-happy male students sat down in the Union's Coke bar following an examination in "Sociology 10" at State College. The campus dignitary referred to, in terms favorable to his character but unfavorable to his tests, was Dr. William R. Appleby, professor of sociology, as he is formally identified in the college catalog.
Those who sought the "pause that refreshes" after a gruelling exam were typical male collegians. They are known in their dormitories as "Buck" Jones, who was first to speak in the above-quoted opinion, and "Andy" Allen, his casual acquaintance. State College doesn't boast too large an enrollment, which is not to say, however, that it is a small-time school. It prides itself on its mediumsize constituency because it makes for better camaraderie on the campus. Buck and Andy were not total strangers the morning they invited each other to the Coke bar for post-mortems on the test. They had seen and spoken to each other before. This was, however, their first chance to sit down and really chat. In the relaxed mood, following the tension of a test, it is easy to talk, especially if the common topic is a none too popular classroom stint.
"By the way," Andy volunteered more or less in reply to Buck's opening barrage about the dubious qualities of the examination, "what did you think of Question 7-about Christianity having made practically no impact on the social order? Do you suppose 'Honest Abe' wanted us to minimize the influence of religion on the way people live today and the environment they create?"
"Well, if he did, he's dead right," said Buck. "Christianity is a corpse, and has been for a long time. You don't expect a corpse to influence the living, do you?"
Andy's grip on the Coke bottle tightened perceptibly. He was, however, not taken aback but came up with this direct question himself: "Buck, don't you believe that Christianity is true and that people who honestly accept its truth are bound to make some impression on society?"
"Hell, no" was Buck's explosive reply. "I don't go for this 'truth' stuff in religion, that is, not any more. The Bible, huh, what's it got to offer? All this Sunday School make-believe, as far as I am concerned, went out the window when I stopped believing in Santa Claus and that storks bring babies. People talk about prayer, about 'holy' this and 'holy' that-'holy' Bible, 'holy' God, 'holy' Jesus. And yet the world is cram full of wickedness and war and evil. What does it all mean anyhow?"
* WELL, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
It would be interesting to eavesdrop further on this Coke-with-Christianity discussion as it went on for a good while. At that, it is hardly necessary. You have a good idea how the plot went and how,
verly likely, it ended. Spontaneous dialogs of this kind go on wherever students congregate, whether in Union lounges, fraternity commons, dormitory halls, or study rooms. Like a football, religion has been tossed back and forth on your campus, too, sometimes between two individuals playing catch, and sometimes in a group with everyone trying to get his hands on the ball. You could hardly have missed being in one of these "give and take" sessions yourself. Perhaps you tell yourself: "I try to steer away from these religious talk-fests, because - well - what's the good of it? Religion is OK if kept in church, but it isn't that relevant to life that I should get all steamed up talking about it in a group." Friend, let's face it. Religion is something you can't avoid talking about on the campus. If along with other vital topics of the day, such as politics, sex, cars, football, and war, religion enters into formal discussions, it is relevant. It compels an attitude on your part, either for or against.
Buck, our imaginary speaker of several paragraphs back, raised interesting points about the meaning of important elements in the Christian religion, namely Bible, prayer, God, Christ, and Man. What can the Bible's statements on these come to mean to you? Now, don't go away but sit tight as we shall try to go into these vital matters a little more.
* WHAT ABOUT THE BIBLE?
Undoubtedly, you have read or heard many claims about the Bible. Perhaps you know best the statement made by Christians that it is a book without mistakes. If this statement is true, the Bible etc. etc.
(Truncated because this tract goes on for pages and pages.)
Believe it or not, miracles do happen today! I can give you the names and addresses of many who have experienced great miracles in their personal lives.
Nicky Cruz now lives in Colorado. Not too many years ago he was vice president of the notorious Mau Mau gang in Brooklyn. He was vicious-so much so, he once tried to kill his own brother. Seventeen victims were stabbed by him in gang fights. He and Mau Mau president Israel Narvaez roamed the streets of Brooklyn, terrorizing, fighting-fulll of hate and violence! From 1956 to 1958, the Mau Maus were one of the most feared of all New York City gangs, making headlines regularly.
Today Nicky Cruz and Israel Narvaez are both ministers. Both have written tremendous books, telling of the miracles that happened to each of them.
I was a country preacher at the time, and both Nicky and Israel heard me preach on a street corner in Brooklyn. I simply told them how Jesus Christ could take the hate out of them and make something out of their messed-up lives. They were tired of the killing and violence, and their gang members were getting hooked on heroin.
I asked them to surrender their lives to Christ; and with a simple, honest prayer, they invited Him to become their Lord and King.
Nicky Cruz has become a legend, preaching to multitudes-as many as 50,000 at one time. He went from gang leader to evangelist in just four years..
Israel Narvaez now lives in Everett, Washington, and he travels extensively, preaching the gospel of Christ also. The Mau Mau gang called the conversions of both of their leaders "a real miracle!'
Sonny Arguinzoni pastors a church in Los Angeles, with a congregation comprised mostly of converted addicts, alcoholics and prostitutes. He has also founded an entire organization of addict churches throughout the United States called. "Victory' Temples."
I met Sonny on the corner of Flatbush and Myrtle Avenue in front of a pizza parlor. He was a hundred-dollar-a-day junkie - dirty, sick and hungry. He thought I was a narcotics agent at first, but he took a few minutes to hear me out. He had been busted so many times, he had lost count. He had no time for his parents or God; all he lived for was the next fix. He busted apartments and stores, stealing everything he could find to pawn for drug money.
He was a con man, a cheater, a liar and a thief But drugs had worn him down to the bone. He was tired of the hassle.
I helped him kick his habit, cold turkey. But most important of all, Sonny turned his life over to Jesus Christ. Talk about a miracle: Sonny walked away from his habit, his old con friends, the pushers and pimps-and went to college, married a beautiful lady and entered the ministry.
Today Sonny Arguinzoni is a respected minister, author and friend to thousands of junkies and other street people. Jesus Christ took a nobody from a back alley-and turned him into a man of God. It's a miracle!
Jacque Schultz had been a drug addict for years. She had been arrested for armed robbery and sent to prison on numerous occasions. She was also in and out of mental hospitals and drug detoxification programs. But she never stopped craving dope.
She introduced her teenage brother to drugsand held him in her arms as he died, only seconds after she removed the needle from his arm. When her boyfriend died of an overdose of drugs in her bed, she and a friend drove his body to a construction site, where they buried him. What a life of horror and heartbreak she lived!
Jacque was told about my ministry in New York City to drug addicts. She was told about Jesus and His love for her. She cried out for His help, and His love burned out all her sin, all the dope, all the bitter disappointments and haunting memories. Jesus Christ made her a brand-new person. She went to Bible college and is now married to a minister. God's healing is complete! She experienced a miracle!
God Is Not Dead!
I get tired of hearing people say God is not real, that He no longer answers prayer, that the days of miracles are long gone.
Right now, all across this land, hundreds of miracles are taking place. Addicts who were once stoned out of their minds are being cured by the power of Jesus Christ. Prostitutes are quitting the tricks and the trade, and they are finding a new life of respect and dignity through Jesus Christ.
Homosexuals and lesbians, from New York to San Francisco, are experiencing this same miracle of deliverance from life-controlling habits. Christ is emancipating so many of them now-and organizations are springing up to assist them in finding a new life-style. I can give you names and addresses of many of them-all of whom will tell you about a miracle that happened to them the day they started seeking the reality of Jesus Christ.
The same Christ who was in the world nearly 2,000 years ago is still in our world today. He performed miracles and set sinners free from their sins then, and He is still doing it today. He is forgiving, loving and guiding exactly as He did then. You may think this book is not for you because you are not hooked or wasted. But you need a miracle to save you from your emptiness loneliness and feelings of rejection. SO please read on.
Do You Need a Miracle?
What is it going to take to straighten out your life? You know that no doctor, psychiatrist or any other human being can change you. You need a miracle! You need a superhuman power to break all your habits and put a new mind in you.
Jesus Christ loves you as much as He loves Nicky, Israel, Sonny and Jacque. He doesnt play favorites, and He never turns down anybody who calls on Him for help. Jesus said: "Him who comes to me, I will not cast out" (John 6:37).
Jesus knows exactly where you are and what you are going through, and He cares about you. Maybe there was a time you got really down, and in desperation you called out to God. Maybe it was late at night, when you were lonely or at the end of your rope. Maybe you were thinking about suicide-because you were so mixed up and hurting.
Was there a time when you prayed to God and you thought nothing happened? You got the impression God didn't hear you--or that maybe you were not good enough for God to help you. The trouble is, you didnt really want to change and become a new person; you just wanted temporary relief from your hurt.
Jesus doesn't work that way. He isn't interested in merely patching you up. Instead, He wants to-make you over into a brand-new person who is not a slave to sin.
The Bible says, "If anyone gets into Jesus he becomes a brand-new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, Living Bible).
(Truncated because this goes on forever.)
What's a honey of a deal?
The fact Jesus Christ died for your sins, the Just for the unjust! JESUS DIED FOR YOU is the GOSPEL message. "without shedding of BLOOD is no remission:' Hebrews 9:22b. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the BLOOD that maketh an atonement for the soul:' Leviticus 17:11.
Some eternal Be's in the Bible.
BE READY. "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh!' Matthew 24:44.
BE BORN AGAIN. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God:' John 3:3.
BE YE HOLY. "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. I Peter 1:16.
BE YE SAVED. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved:' Acts 4:12.
Heaven or Hell, which one for you?
Many good people are going to hell because ALL HAVE SINNED. "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not:' Ecclesiastes 7:20. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10.
What is the price of sin?
"For the wages of sin is death;" Romans 6:23a. "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire:' Revelation 20:14-15.
Would you like to be saved?
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house:' Acts 16:30b-31.
Are on willing to be saved? y
* "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish!' Luke 13:3. (Admit you are guilty and want delivered from your sinful condition.)
* "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved:' Romans 10: 13. (If you believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ can, by Himself, get you to heaven, then call on Him in prayer and ask Him to save you.)
Please send us back this tract to let us know if you have just decided to trust Jesus Christ as YOUR Saviour, and then tell someone else. "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed:'
Romans 10:11.
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Tract No. 136