What's So Good About The Good News?
The Gospel message is revolutionary. In Paul’s day it was
considered to be heresy by the Jews and madness by the Gentiles. Their
evaluation might have deterred a lesser man, but Paul was not swayed
from teaching the simple truth.
Now, apart from the Law (of Moses) the righteousness of God
has been made known to us, through the testimony of the Old Testament
writers. According to them a relationship with God has been made
available to us through faith in Jesus Christ and for all who believe.
No one can claim any merit before God; for all have sinned and have
fallen short of God’s perfect standard of acceptance, but each can now
be justified as a bona fide gift by the grace of God through the
redemption which is in Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:21-24 (BRV)
The first thing you realize after doing the research on this
subject is that the Gospel message is the most revolutionary revelation
in the history of mankind. It truly is “Good News”, but it’s even better
than most people think. It is definitely better than portrayed by the
modern church. Theirs is a Gospel message telling of heavy duties and
responsibilities; all owed to a God who stands ready to punish those who
displease Him and doesn’t hesitate to do so through trials,
tribulations, diseases and financial woes. Though grace is mentioned in
the telling of this version of the Gospel, qualified performance is
heavily emphasized, to the extent that unmerited favor seems to be
trumped by good behavior, making grace virtually meaningless. In this
understanding, true faith is always accompanied by certain specific acts
that, as it is told; are demonstrative of a real conversion. This
expected standard of morality amounts to nothing more than judgment
pretending to be righteousness for without grace the Good News isn’t
good at all. It’s nothing more than a New Testament continuation of Old
Testament Law keeping, but listen to Romans 5:
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ
died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man;
though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His
blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while
we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And
not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
– Romans 5:6-11 (NASB)
What seems to be so difficult for many people to come to grips
with is that God loved the world so much that He made a way for the
guilty to go scot-free. The Good News is not that a few relatively good
people could be saved because of their good deeds, but it is that
through simple faith, all who approach the throne will be accepted. The
Gospel is “the good news about God’s free gift of grace!” (This
will be on the test) Let me repeat that. The Gospel is “the good
news about God’s free gift of grace!” When asked, “You mean God is
letting the guilty go free?” The answer is, “Yes!” No one will be turned
away because of sin, because the consequence for the sin condition was
eliminated by the selfless acts and spilt blood of Jesus at Calvary.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of
God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to
the Greek. – Romans 1:16 (NASB)
Some have somehow forgotten that the power of the Gospel is in
its radical-ness. Our job as ministers of the Gospel is likened to
priests who dispense the blessings of God to the people. It is not our
job to judge them. Freely you have received, freely give. Grace in,
grace out.
I needed to boldly remind you in writing about some
important points concerning God’s grace granted to me, a minister of
Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, like a priest, dispensing the gospel (the
good news message about God’s free gift of grace), offering to God true
believers (humbled by the impact of the simple message) certified by
faith and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:15-16 (BRV)
The enemy wants us to forget the true Gospel. He has been
largely successful in getting many of God’s people off track and
confused about the necessary day-to-day routine of receiving and
dispensing of grace. It’s about grace, not judgment. We are not to judge
(condemn) others or ourselves – but we must master the daily routine of
putting on the shoes of the Gospel of Peace. Yes, this is the peace that
passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is the peace given to us by
the Lord Himself, unlike the peace the world gives (John 14:27). World
peace is based on the circumstance of life, but the peace of Christ
walks right through the difficulties of life with complete confidence
and joy.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have
obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;
and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also
exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about
perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character,
hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to
us. – Romans 5:1-5 (NASB)
This is all ours as we come to know the love of God in our
hearts through the Holy Spirit. His love, received by faith, transforms
us from mortal weaklings into supernatural giants.
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect
bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
– Colossians 3:14-15 (NASB)
Rev. Bob Ellis
|