Description
A tract to give at graduation. Comes in a pack of 8.
MESSAGE:
“Congratulations, you have completed an important step in life, graduation. Following years of hard work, studying and planning you have reached a giant goal in life. With this milestone now behind you, planning will begin for step two which may include college, a job and even more important, a spouse and family. I am so very proud of you and know that each step of the way you will plan and choose the correct path and will enjoy much success in your life.
Life is full of decisions, and it seems like there are more and more every day. As you move on in your life you will now be faced with the decisions of which college, how do I get the best job, where will I live, and when will be the best time to settle down and begin a family. None of these decisions should or will be made quickly and easily; they should be given much time, prayer and consideration. But all the planning in the world cannot satisfy the deepest internal cravings of the soul that can only be achieved through a personal relationship with one’s Creator, the God of Heaven and earth.
Many years ago another Father and Son would make some plans, plans that would impact, not so much their lives but the lives of all mankind. The Word of God states, “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world…” (Eph. 1:4a) Before God had created the globe we call earth He had us (saved in Christ) in view. And with that in mind He began the process of bringing everything together all that would be needed to redeem a sin-fallen world.
The Bible says….“Wherefore as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death and sin passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “For the wages of sin is death….” (Romans 6:23a)
You see, as good as one may think he is, it is imperative that he realizes how far short he is from the glory of God and is a sinner. As good as one may believe he is again the Bible states that…“There is none righteous, no, not one….there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10, 12b)
All your efforts cannot defeat the ugliness of sin. The effects of sin have been passed on from generation to generation so that all have sinned. There is absolutely nothing you can do, dear friend, in and of yourself to merit God permitting you to enter into His Heaven. As thankful as I am for it, honestly, but sadly, even your greatest efforts of planning, of gaining an advanced education, of joining a church, cannot satisfy God’s standard of righteousness. You see we are not saved by our good deeds or human efforts. Again the Bible says…. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) “Now to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)
The wages of sin required a great payment be made, a payment of blood, a payment of death. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Because of God’s love for you, He has done for you what you could not do for yourself. Through the sacrifice of His dear Son Who the Bible says, “gave Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6a). Jesus Christ shed His blood as the full and complete payment for the sins of the world, for your sin. He paid your price of sin in full. What you could not do for yourself is finished. He has done all of the work, He has fully satisfied the Father (Romans 3:25) and today is holding out in love the gift of life; no, not a temporary life, but rather eternal life in Heaven with Him.
“How can I have it?” you ask. The answer is simple, believe. Place your faith, trust, confidence, your belief in the finished work of Christ on your behalf: His death, burial and resurrection and you will be saved. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved…For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Again, congratulations on your graduation, I am so very proud of you today and will continue to be proud of you as you now move ahead in your life. I will be praying for you and the decisions you will make. But I would also like to invite you to know and experience real life, eternal life that only comes from knowing Christ as Savior. I’d invite you to place your faith and trust in His finished work on your behalf today. All your religion and human effort will not save you. Why not trust Christ and His work for you right now. If you will take this simple step of faith you will immediately pass from death to life and the guarantee of Heaven will be yours. Will you believe today?”
