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Most people come to a garage sale looking for a bargain. Garage sales can be good places to find a bargain, however, may I tell you about some bargains that you don't have to go a garage sale to obtain?
- Are you looking for something old?
Then may I share with you an old, old story? It is the story of a man who was perfectly happy in a perfect home with a perfect wife yet forfeited his perfect home for a taste of forbidden fruit.
Genesis 3:6 - And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.Adam and his wife Eve took of the forbidden fruit, and in so doing, directly disobeyed God invoking the death penalty upon themselves.
Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.This penalty was then passed from them to the whole human race since they were the first human beings created. Since then every human being born of human parents has inherited a sin nature thereby incurring the wrath of God, their Creator Who demands the same penalty for sin - DEATH.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; ...However, God devised a plan whereby man could be saved from the penalty of sin.
1 Timothy 1:15 - This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God came here to die for us so that God's penalty for sin could be paid. He was not only the Son of God, He was God the Son.
John 1:1, 14 -In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.Since He was God the Son He could pay the infinite penalty for the sins of all mankind including your sins and mine.
- Maybe you are looking for something NEW?
The Bible tells us that, since Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all of mankind's sin, in order for us to receive this wonderful salvation we must have a new birth, a spiritual birth.
John 3:3-6 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. {again: or, from above} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.God gave us these instructions because He loved mankind with an everlasting love. This also was a new thought, that our Creator God would love us so much that He would send his only begotten Son so that mankind might be able to enjoy the splendors of heaven eternally.
John 3:16-17 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.- Maybe you are looking for something Free?
God's word tells us that, although it cost Jesus His life, salvation is free to those who are willing to trust Him for their salvation.
Romans 5:15 - 16 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.- Maybe you are looking for something that will make you happy?
God's word tells us that happiness comes from the relationship of a person with God not in the material things which he possesses. In the following verses the word 'blessed' means happy.
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.- Perhaps you are wondering about the price of the above bargains?
It has already been paid. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary when He shed His precious blood for your sins and paid the penalty of sin for you. As we have said before, all you have to do is truly trust Him from your heart and be born again.
Romans 5:8 - 9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
John 5:24 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.Trusting Jesus involves turning to God from your sins with your whole heart and soul. The Bible calls this repentance.
Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
Romans 10:8 - 13 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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.Yes, garage sales are good places to come for bargains at times, yet no matter what bargain you find at a garage sale it can never satisfy the inward desire of man. Only salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ can really satisfy the inward most desires of anyone. Yes, at a garage sale you may find the item you are looking for, however, if you don't have Jesus as your Saviour you will miss the greatest blessing of life - a home in heaven for ever.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?Trust the risen, living Lord Jesus Christ today and be born again, and you will find the greatest treasure of all time. If you would like more help settling this most important question contact us at:
Available in PDF format as a printable tract.
