I would like to tell you a true story about a man who one day fell deeply in love with a prostitute. After marriage and having several children, this woman, again, began to go back to her old ways. As a result of her lifestyle she became destitute and lived on the streets. After much searching, her husband finally found her and said, "You shall not be a prostitute, and shall not lie with another man, I will be only yours and you shall be only mine." He said this because he still loved her very much!
Did you know this man was named "Hosea," his wife was "Gomer" and their story appears in the pages of the Bible? God had this story recorded to illustrate His great love for us, even though we may have been uncaring and unconcerned about a relationship with Him. "Love" is one of the greatest themes of the Bible and it has caused God to reach out for us even when we were uncaring about Him (Rom. 5:8).
Jesus told a story one day after the religious leaders complained to Him for welcoming sinful people to eat with Him. He said, "If you had a hundred sheep and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found.
"Well, in the same way heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who haven't strayed away!" (Luke 15:3-7, LB).
Are you the little lost sheep that Jesus is looking for? The prophet Isaiah said, "We are the ones who strayed away like sheep! We, who left God's paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on Him (Jesus) the guilt and sins of every one of us!" (Isa. 53:6, LB).
During the Civil War, a young soldier was answering his sister's letter in which she had appealed to him to become a Christian. The Chaplain who was standing by saw that this young man needed to come to a decision. So he began to plead with the soldier to give his life to Jesus Christ. Finally the soldier voluntarily knelt beneath a shelter-tent and deliberately consecrated his life to the Saviour's care and service. Shortly thereafter, in a battle, the soldier was killed. The Chaplain's words are as follows, "As I said earnest words of prayer over the grave in which we buried him, and as I looked down into his dead face, I was glad that I waited that memorable night until he knelt by my side and gave himself up to his loving and waiting Saviour" (Individual Work for Individuals, p.89-90).
What about you? THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU IS WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!
In the Bible, a tax collector humbled himself before God, beat his breast, and cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" God accepted Him, forgave his sins and declared him to be in right relationship with God (Luke 18:13).
What will be your response? Will you be like the man who said to himself, "You have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Wine, women, and song for you!" But God said to him..."Tonight you die. Then who will get it all?" (Luke 12:19- 20, LB).
What response will you make today? The soldier that the Chaplain talked to thought he could wait. I'm glad he didn't.
There is not a greater love than this, Jesus Christ voluntarily laid down His life for you! (1 Jn. 3:16) This was the supreme act of love for you, "That while we were sinners Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). Through this act He is willing to bring you into His Kingdom and manifest His love to you forever (Jas. 2:5).
In the Bible, a thief cried out, "Lord, remember me when you enter into your Kingdom." Jesus said, "Today (at your death) you will be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43). It's by grace (God's Kindness) we are saved (Eph. 2:5).
Will you consider calling on His Name today? It is to Him that you must respond. You have the freedom to choose.
If we can help you, please write us at WJoKrow@aol.com
Tract No. 10 by Don Krow
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