Am hoping by you just taking a few minutes of your time to read this booklet. That it will show how we all come short of God’s standards, and how we all have sinned against him.
All that is in this booklet is the truth from God’s word (Holy Bible) all is backed up by scripture which you will see once you start reading it.
So I hope you will take the time to read over the whole booklet. It could easily make your life better by making peace with God.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16
~ Table of Contents ~
How Sin came into the World...................... 1
All have Sinned............................................. 3
It is Appointed unto Men.............................. 6
A Terrible Place called Hell..........................7
God so Loved us that... ................................. 8
Steps of making Peace with God................. 11
How to be Saved.......................................... 12
Peace with God.............................................13
My Testimony.............................................. 14
How Sin came into the World
First starting in the first book of the Holy Bible which is Genesis which explains how sin came into the world, and how we all have sinned.
In the Holy Bible starting in (Genesis 1:1 - 1:10) it says that God In the beginning created the heaven and the earth. And God saw that it was good.
In (Genesis 1:11 - 1:12) It tells that God then brought forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And God saw that it was good.
Then in (Genesis 1:13 - 1:18) God made the evening, morning and divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years were the third day. And God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:20 through 1:22) And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:23 through 1:25) And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God saw that it was good.
Then last of all in (Genesis 1:26 - 1:31) God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; created male and female created he them. In verse 1:31: And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
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So you can see in the beginning all that he created was good. So because all was good there was no evil in the world, and if no evil there was no sin in the world.
But as you read in (Genesis 2:8 through 2:9) God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
2:9: And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Then in (Genesis 2:16 through 2:17) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 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.
Now in Genesis Chapter 3
It tells how Eve was deceived by the serpent (the devil), and she and Adam did eat of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
So because they did eat of the tree evil came into the world, and brought forth
sin, and sin brought forth death.
So because Adam's offence against
God sin came into the world, and has
pass from generation to generation
even till now. So because of that we
all are born into sin, because of
Adam's offence against God.
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All have Sinned
Now the Holy Bible tells by one man {Adam} sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. {Romans 5:12}
Therefore as by the offence of one {Adam} judgment came upon all men to condemnation; {Romans 5:18} So by Adam disobe-dience many were made sinners. {Romans 5:19}
So because of Adams offence all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God {Romans 3:23}. And as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {Romans 3:10, 3:11}
Now by what you’ve read so for you can now see how by Adam sinning against God that his sin has pass to all, and that all have sinned against God.
But you may be thinking to yourself I read how Adam sinned against God, but how is it that in God’s word (Holy Bible) says myself and others have sinned. In what way have we sinned against him.
To show you how we all have sinned. All we have to do is to take time and read what God’s Laws (Ten Commandments) says.
Here is just Five of the Ten Commandments: 1. "You shall have no other gods before Me."
Have any of us always loved God with "all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength," and love his neighbour as much as he has loved himself.
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3. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain."
Have you ever taken God's name in vain -instead of using a four letter word to express disgust, you've used His name? Hitler's name wasn't despised enough to use as a curse word. If you have used His holy name in that manner, you are a blasphemer and will not enter the Kingdom of God.
7. "You shall not commit adultery."
Who of us can say that we are pure of heart? Jesus warned, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart."
Remember that God has seen every thought you have had and every sin you have ever committed. The day will come when you have to face His Law, and we are told that the impure, fornicators (those who have sex before marriage) and adulterers will not enter the Kingdom of God.
8. "You shall not steal."
Have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else (ir-respective of its value)? Then you are a thief you cannot enter God's Kingdom.
9. "You shall not bear false witness."
Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar. How many lies do you have to tell to be a liar? Just one. The Bible warns that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). You may not think deceitfulness is a serious sin. God does!
Who of us can say we are not guilty of breaking just these Five of the Ten Commandments? All of us have sinned, and just as with civil law, you don't have to break ten laws to be a lawbreaker, so the Bible warns, In (James 2:10) "For whoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."
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Therefore by the law that every mouth may be stop ped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh bejustified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19,20
So by the law (Commandments of God) we have all sinned against God. And no one can be justified by the law. Because we have already broken them, and are guilty before him.
I’m sure most people could look around and find someone who they think are living worse than they are, and thinking to themselves at lest am not as bad as that person. So by doing that people try to justify themselves or feel better about how their living by comparing themselves to others. So by doing that they may look pretty good, but when we compare our selves to God standards we see how sinful we really are, and how we all have sinned against him.
A little girl was once watching a sheep eating grass and thought how white it looked against the green background. But when it be-gan to snow she thought, "That sheep now looks dirty against the white snow!" It was the same sheep, but with a different background. When we compare ourselves to man's standard we look pretty clean, but when we compare ourselves to the pure snow-white righteousness of God's standard -His Law, we can see ourselves in truth, that we are unclean in His sight. That Law is the holy standard by which humanity will be judged on Judgment Day.
Perhaps you think that God is good and will therefore over look your sins. But if you were guilty of terrible crimes in a civil court and said to the judge, "Judge, I am guilty but I believe that you are a good man and will therefore overlook my crimes," the judge would probably respond by saying, "You are right about one thing; I am a good man, and it's because of my goodness that I am going to see that justice is done, that you are punished for your crimes."
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The very thing that many are hoping will save them on Judgment Day, God's "goodness," will be the very thing that will condemn them. If God is good, He should punish murderers. liars, thieves, etc., and Hell will be their dreadful fate (Revelation 21:8) It is Appointed unto Men...
The Bible says it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27
Yes, we all are appointed to die one day that is something we all have in common. Now the death the bible is speaking of is a phy-sical death not a spiritual death. It will be the body that will be put in the grave not the soul. The soul is the real us, not the body.
Because in the bible when God created Adam he did not say he became a living body, or living flesh and bones. No, he said he became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul).
So just think of the body as a house for your soul. And once the body dies the soul got two places it can go. It can go be with Lord in heaven because while that person was still alive he or she repented of there sins, and by faith accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Or there will be the ones that will die in there sins and will be condemned. Because they would not accept the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ. Because they had rather keep enjoying the plesures of there sins, and being spiritually dead toward God. Then to admit to themselves and to God that they have sinned and need forgiv-ness. So it will be pride and self righteous that will cause many people not to be saved. And sadly they will end up being condemned in hell because of it.
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And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John 3:19-20
So they will be condemned unless the -light- (which is glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God), should shine unto them and they should believe and be saved.
We all are guilty before God because we have sinned against him, and the judgment will be condemnation. Which means: To pro-nounce judgment against, were condemned by their actions; to express strong disapproval of; being guilty; and Infernal - which means Hell.)
A Terrible Place called Hell
What a terrible place Hell must be like if the bible says in: Mark 9:47-48 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
So it is saying it would be better if your eye is offending you which means if your eye is causing you to sin, and keeping you from being saved. It would be best to pluck out your own eye so you would then get saved. Rather then the whole body being cast into hell where the fire is not quenched and worm never dieth.
The bible also speaks on hell as a furnace of fire where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:42 And a place of outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 22:13
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Then in (2 Thessalonians. 1:8-9) tells of it being a flaming fire, and everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.
Hell is not just a place people use to try to scare people or a place of make-believe. It is just as real as heaven is, but the two are com-pletely opposite from each other. For hell which you have already read is a horrible place, but in heaven there will be joy and everlasting life.
God so loved us that...
The answer is in: 1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (Propitiation: means to pardon and bless the sinner).
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.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
So God rich in his mercy made a way for us to be saved and that way is through his son Jesus Christ.
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And this is what God done through his son Jesus Christ for us: First his birth in (Matthew 1:18-1:23) then in (John 1:13- 1:14) it tells that he was born by the will of God not man. So because of this he was without sin. (1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was man-ifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin), then in (1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth).
Jesus was sent to speak God's word and he said I have not spoken of myself, but he (God) gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak. John: 12:49,50
He suffered for the world's sins that was placed on him.
2 Corinthian 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
And once our sins was placed on him he did suffer many things because of our sins:
John 18:22: And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, An-swerest thou the high priest so?
John 19:1: Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
(Scourged means: of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment. A whip used to inflict punishment.
Matthew 27:29: And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
Matthew 27:30: And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Matthew 27:31: And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. (Crucify means: to execute someone by 9
nailing them to a cross with metal spikes. Their hands are stretched out on the crossbeam and with spikes driven through their wrists or hands. Their feet or ankles are attached to a cross with a metal spike. Crucify also means: kill, persecute, torment, torture, afflict, and agonize.)
Jesus laid down his life for our sins, then on the third day he was raisin from the dead. (John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 10:18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself ).
Jesus did descend first into hell before he ascended up to heavens that he might fulfil all things. Ephesians 4:9 4:10
He was wounded for our transgressions: (for our breaking of God’s laws), he was bruised for our iniquities: (our sins) the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
So Jesus came down from heaven, and became a partaker of flesh and blood as we are, but was without sin. And suffered and died for our sins being a substitute for our sins, which separated us from God. So because of him taking upon Himself our sinful condition, and nailing them to his cross before God. We now may have fellowship with God through his son Jesus Christ, who died for us.
And he did not just die for us, but he also went to hell for us.
So because he had victory over death and hell (Romans 6:9), and then ascended up to heaven (Acts 2:31). So through him we have forgiveness of our sins and have victory over death and hell.
And just as he ascended up to heaven so will we (Romans 8:11).
That is if your saved by the blood of Jesus Christ which he shed on the cross. Ephesians 1:7
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Steps of making Peace with God
First steps of making Peace with God is: Repentance toward God, and Faith in Jesus Christ.
First you must: Repent
Meaning to change one's mind and purpose after the result of the knowledge of ones sins toward God. A true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness, and turning from it to God is used of true repentance.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blot-ted out. Acts 3:19
Then you must believe by Faith.
What is Faith: is in general the persuasion of the mind that a cer-tain statement is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust.
Bible says by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, and not by works. But it is a gift from God through faith of his son Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8,9
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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How to be Saved
1. You must accept that you are a sinner. So by being a sinner you must repent toward God for sinning against him. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
2. You must accept that as a sinner you owe a penalty.
"For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
3. You must accept that Jesus Christ has already paid our sin debt.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
4. You must accept by faith what Jesus Christ did for you.
The word "believe" means to trust, to depend on, to rely on. To believe that Jesus Christ shed his blood, died on the cross, was bur-ied, and arose again on the third day to pay the sin debt you owe.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever (means you) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Now, if you feel God's Holy Spirit convicting you of your sins, and by faith will trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, pray a simple prayer like this one from your heart.
"Dear God, I repent of my sins and today I turn away from all of my sins. I deserve to pay my own sin debt, but I do believe that Jesus died for me to pay the debt that I owe. This day I put my trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He is the only way for me to be saved. He is 'The way, the truth, and the life.'" Please forgive me, change my heart, and grant me Your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."
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Peace with God
Now after you've repented and by faith ask Jesus Christ into your life you must confess to someone that God through his son Jesus has saved you.
Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart man believeth unto righte ousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
The moment you’ve done this, God will send his Holy Spirit to live within you to comfort, and to give you that real peace within yourself that you've never had before. And knowing that you will not be condemned in Hell, but that you will have everlasting life.
Now find a bible believing Church and get baptized, then you should attend church regularly so you can have fellowship with other Christians. And read your bible and pray daily to God always praying in the name of Jesus . The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) Ephesians 1:7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
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My Testimony
For you all that don't know me my name is Ricky Yarbrough, and am 38 years old. And first of all I would like to say how thankful I am to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and have known it for over twelve years now. Because I got saved after I had my wreck which was on Sept. 20, 1998 that almost cause me to lose my life.
But thank God it didn't. But it did end up causing me to have a broken neck as well as damaging my spinal cord in my neck. So because of that am not able to walk and have to use a wheelchair to get around now.
But I know that I brought it own myself living the way I was from the drinking, drugs, pills, and just living in a way that was not right. And I can remember as I was living that way that there was times where I knew there was something missing in my life. But it was not until I had my wreck that I finally found out what it was that was missing in my life. And that was not having a personal re-lationship with God, through his son Jesus Christ.
And even know it took for me to go through the wreck, and to go through all I did in the hospital before I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I can say coming to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior is the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me.
So I’m so thankful that God give me another chance after my wreck to get to know the truth of His Word, and to be saved. And not letting me die in my sins. I say another chance because God tried to warn me before I had my wreck more then once. But the one time that I can remember the most is around two weeks before I had my wreck. I was in my bedroom putting my clothes on then all of sudden this feeling came over me that I needed to get in church, it was a very strong feeling. Because once it came over me I went told Jackie (a lady that was living with me) that I had to get 14
in church. I remember saying it to her three times straight. I can say that I never had anything like that happen to me before. The feeling I felt was much stronger then say a person telling me I better get in church.
I know now it was God’s Holy Spirit trying to warn me, and was trying to tell me that I was living wrong and needed to get in church. But I didn't I just kept living the same way, and it was just a few days later that I had my wreck, and it was on a Sunday. So if I would’ve listened and gotten in church I may not have had my wreck. But I know what is done is done, and I know I can’t go back and make the right choice.
But I'm so thankful to God that he did give me another chance after my wreck to be saved. Because now I have that real peace within me where before the drugs, drinking, and the other things the world had to offer couldn’t give me the kind of peace that I have now.
(John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid). And I know the Lord will always be with me, and I know he will never forsake me, family and friends may, but am thankful he will not (Hebrews 13:5).
Am also so thankful for God’s Holy Spirit that is living with-in me that helps me overcome the temptations that are in the world.
(Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (help) them that are tempted).
And he comforts me during all tribulations or trials that I may be going through now, and any that may come up in the future while am here on this earth (2 Corinthians 1:3,4; Romans 5:3-5).
And even though it has been over twelve years since I had my injury, I still have faith that God will heal me, so I can walk again.
But I know it will be on his time not mine. Because I know I brou-15
ght this injury on myself by the way I was living. And I know rather he heals me or if am still in this wheelchair of mine. I know I got to keep trusting and allowing him to lead me in life, so I can do those things which is pleasing to him.So I know my hope is in the Lord, not in the world. Because I know all things are possible with God who loved me, and saved me through his son Jesus Christ.
And I know when my time comes for me to die whenever that may be. I know I will be going to a much better place where there is no more sorrow, pain, wheelchairs, and there will be no more depart-ing from loved ones that are there in heaven. But the best part of all will be that myself and others that are saved will forever be with the Lord who saved us.
Now the reason am sharing with you my testimony is that am hoping by reading it that you will not keep waiting before you try getting right with God. Because this may be your last chance that you may have by reading this booklet.
Just because God had warned me before I had my wreck does’t mean you should hold off hoping God will warn you. Or give you some kind of sign before you try getting right with him.
Because God may have already gave you a number of warnings over the years, but you may not have realized it. And your last warning may have already pasted. So if your waiting for a sign before getting right with God. Just look in your hands at this booklet, and what all it says about God’s Word which you’ve read out of it.
That should be enough of a sign that you need to be saved.
Last of all I do thank the the Lord for putting within me the understanding I needed to make up these booklets to give to you and others. So you all may learn about the Truth which is in Christ Jesus. And that you will make the right choice by asking Jesus into sus Christ into your life.
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I AM A CHRISTIAN
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.
When I say..."I am a Christian"