It isn’t difficult to find bad news. There are worries about Iran having nuclear weapons, Islamic State militants, the economy, political intrigue and power plays. Unfortunately, the good news that could be printed likely wouldn’t earn much attention.
You may know the word “gospel” simply means “good news.” To be sure, the message of the Bible has its share of bad news as well, but the emphasis is on the good news. It reminds me of the doctor who says, “I have good news and bad news, but first the bad news.” The patient needs to hear the bad news first or else he will only be daydreaming when the details of the good news goes sailing on past his head.
The good news may not even be relevant unless it is stated in the context of the bad news. Who wants to hear that open heart surgery will make you a new person. “What? Just leave me alone, and I’ll be happy as the old me, thank you.”
But if I hear, “You have a problem with your heart and we’ll give you three months.” What? Now I am listening. “Please, doctor, get on with the good news, if there is any. I’m all ears — hurry!”
Even so, the gospel does present the bad news. It examines the human condition and our problems and states the conclusion plainly and pointedly. And you won’t be pleased. Whoever said you would like “bad news”?
You might check, for example, Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). It says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” How do you like that? Can you argue? Rather direct, rather obvious, and hard to swallow, like a large pill.
But the good news also comes to us in plain and simple terms as well. The gospel has as its heartbeat the person of Jesus Christ. His coming, His life and death and resurrection are all at the core of the good news. It really is worth checking. It is relevant.
While you are there in Romans, check out chapter 6 and look down to the last verse, number 23: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The bad news is first, and the glorious good news is second. Read it again. Isn’t it amazing! Does God have your attention? Did the good news just sail on past? Have you embraced it?
Have you ever said, “Thank you”?