The young lady on this page is a living, breathing human being. The pictures are from the New York City Police Department and chronicle the downward spiral of her life over a period of fourteen years. One would imagine that in picture one, she appears about 18 years old. Her eyes show she is full of life, and indeed, she has a self assured air about her. She has no idea what awaits her over the next few years. I don’t know what she was arrested for in #1, I’m sure it wasn’t anything too terrible - maybe she was caught with a couple of joints, maybe a beer. I’m sure she would have told you that she “had it in control” and “it’s my life anyway”. That’s the way it’s presented on the billboards and on TV.
How bad can it be? “My favorite actor or singer sucks that stuff down like water, or does my drug, and he looks great”.
In only 4 months, # 2 shows a party girl that is developing some rough edges. “But, that’s O.K., I can stop anytime”.
In # 3 she’s still pretty brazen, but sin and the world are starting to wear on her. She has no idea what lies ahead for her.
#4 shows a crack head, doing things she never even imagined to get high.
In #5 & #6 she is owned by a pimp. She gives her body for spare change to support the pimp that owns her and is beaten for not producing. She no longer gets high for fun, now she consumes drugs so she can stand the smell of the men that use her.
That’s the problem with sin - it will take you where you never thought you’d go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay and cost you more than you wanted to pay.
Sin is a magic act - we marvel with wide eyes at the wonderful illusion , but by the time you see how the trick is done, it’s too late.
Pictures 7 through 11 show someone living on the street. She’s been rejected by almost everyone.
Picture 12 bears no resemblance to the pretty girl in #1 that was ready to embrace all that sin and the world had to offer. She now lives on the street, sleeping on steam grates and eating from dumpsters. What’s sad is this is somebody's daughter. Somebody loved this girl. Somebody said "I'd rather die myself, than see my child like this”
As sad as her life is, here’s the miracle: Jesus Christ would rather die Himself, as His Father’s sacrifice for sin, than have His precious child live and die in her sin. And He went to the cross to prove it!
This Jesus was born to a virgin girl through a miracle of God. He led a perfect, sinless life. He grew to adulthood and preached a message of salvation through faith, of repentance of sin and the promise of eternal life!
Jesus preached a second chance. That through salvation you could become a new person. But this 2nd chance had a cost... Someone had to pay the price of sin. Jesus paid that price. Jesus allowed Himself to be judged, mocked, beaten and nailed to a cross.
On that cross He cried out “It is finished!” and died. (John 19:30)
Because He loved you, He gave His life as final payment for you. (John 15:13) Three days later, Jesus got up from the grave! He had the power to lay His life down, and power to take it up again. (John 10:18)
Jesus was seen by thousands and ascended into Heaven where He sits on a throne with His Father.
Jesus Christ truly is the Son of God!
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t matter what others think of you.
You can have this new life right now! The Bible says there is only one way to
Heaven: Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)
Honestly, you’ve tried it all - aren’t you really tired of the way your life is?
Maybe you aren’t anything like this woman - maybe you’ve been a “good person” - you still need salvation from your sin!
Romans 10:9 says: “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 shall be saved.”
· Step #1 - Admit you are a sinner. Romans 3:10
· Step #2 - Be willing to turn from all your sin - Acts 17:30
· Step #3 - Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried and rose from the dead - Romans 10:9 & 10:10
· Step #4 Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Savior - Romans 10:13
WHAT TO PRAY ?
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed his precious blood and died for my sins. I am willing to turn from my sins and invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”(this is only an example - pray to Jesus and ask Him to save you using your own words)
WHAT NEXT?
· Read your Bible - get to know Jesus!
· Talk to Jesus through prayer every day.
· Find an Independent Baptist Church, show them this tract and tell them you were Gloriously Saved by Jesus and need their help.
If this tract has been a help, please email me.
pastor@psalm118.org