Good News

We know that "Gospel" means "good news." And we know what the "good news" is ... right? Actually, sometimes I wonder. I wonder because there is so much clutter, so much noise, so many other things going on. And, hey, I'm not pointing fingers. I'm part of it. For instance, on me, I will point out that I think it is key -- fundamental -- to point out the bad news. I mean, if you don't know how bad things are, how can you know how good the news is? But sometimes things like this get in the way of the plain, simple presentation of the good news. Just what is it?

Some people will point to "pie in the sky by and by" kinds of things. "Someday we'll get to heaven." "Someday we'll lbe finally and completely happy." Well, sure, but that's not it. That's some, but absolutely not all ... or even most of it. So what is the "good news"?

Mark set out to write about "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). In person, the good news is Jesus Christ. Paul explains more.

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. (1 Cor 15:1-8)

So the overarching "good news" is "Jesus Christ, the Son of God," and the framework is Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and raised again ... with witnesses. That is the basic good news. But it is surely lacking in detail. I mean, it would be easy to say, "Um, yeah, okay ... but what's so good about that?" Or, "So what?" And that's the right question.

The good news is that because Christ came to seek and to save, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:14). Not someday. Now. We know that Romans 3:23 states the problem -- "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" -- but that's in the middle of a thought that continues on. We are "justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Rom 3:24). Christ is described as "a propitiation" -- removing the animosity of a righteous God (Rom 3:22) toward sinners (Rom 3:23). That's big. And it's not "by and by." We have been blessed by the Father with "every spiritual blessing" in Christ (Eph 1:3) (and a list follows that reference). We have a personal relationship with Christ, filled by the Spirit and enabled and empowered by God. He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" (Heb 13:5-6). We have specific spiritual gifts, special roles and abilities given by the Spirit for use now (1 Cor 12:4-7). We are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom 8:37). God supplies needs (Php 4:19). We sing of "amazing grace" and "unending love." They're ours. We speak of mercy -- God's righteous anger withheld. It's ours. Victory, power, joy now. Paul wrote, "He Himself is our peace" (Eph 2:14). The One who will never leave us is our peace. No one else has peace like that. And while we are assured that there will also be suffering, even our suffering is designed to benefit and bring joy (James 1:2-4).

We have indeed gone astray. We've defied God, shook our fists in His face. There is, indeed, "bad news." But that only makes the Gospel -- the good news -- that much bigger. All our sins are washed away. Now (1 John 1:9). We are part of a new, eternal family (John 1:12; Eph 1:5-6). The God of the Universe has (already ... now) reconciled us to Himself (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18) in order to present us holy and blameless (Col 1:22). We enjoy what Paul refers to as the "incalculable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8). Ours today and forevermore. Sin is erased and righteousness applied (2 Cor 5:21). Is the good news "someday"? Well, sure, but it is now, too. For all who believe. For everyday existence -- love, joy peace, etc. -- and more. For now and forever.

Don't miss out on the good news.