The Good News?

Have you heard of the Good News? 

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I mean, who doesn't like good news? Who wouldn't like to be informed about something "good."

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There was a point in my life where I had no idea what "the good news" was. God allowed two women to come up to me and my friend at the mall one day several years back and ask me if I knew of Jesus. "Jesus? I mean I heard of him, but what's the point?" I replied. Eventually, those women invited me to a bible study and this small act of seed planting was the start of me discovering what exactly that good news was. And now I'd like to share it with you.

Now, if you didn't know, some of that good news is that God loves you, and wants you to know him and love him. He offers you peace and joy and a fulfilled life! 

The Bible says,

"I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10)

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27)

"Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8)

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You may be thinking, what does all of this mean? and if God offers so much love, joy, and peace, why don't more people have it in this world? 

I can give you the reason as to why.

Our Sin. Which separates us from God. And this all started way back during Adam and Eve's day.

Everyone is born with a tendency to sin and everyone has the freedom to make choices. God has given us free will. We have all chosen to sin.

The Bible says,

"There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

"Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you" (Isaiah 59:2)

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (1 John 1:8)

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You see, in God, there is joy, peace, and fulfillment because those are his promises to us. God never lies and he is faithful to his truth. It doesn't mean we'll be perfect and we won't go through trials, hardships, tribulations, and so on but amid those concerns, there is an undeniable peace and joy that comes along that gives us a sense of security and fulfillment regardless.

In our habitual sin, there is guilt, shame, bitterness, and emptiness as we are here on this earth. Sin is also the result of death.

Death?! How is it that God is peace, love, and joy but willing to allow us to be led toward death? I thought this was good news! 

Yes, God is loving, kind, patient, and ALL the good qualities we can think of. And it's all true! Yet, God is holy and just. God will punish sin and that punishment is death - eternal torment, hell, and separation from God forever.

The Bible says,

"The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:12)

"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

"The fearful, and unbelieving,...and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8)

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So what can we do about our sin?

I will tell you what people TRIED to do before we get to the best part!

People try many ways to deal with their sins and reach God. Some try by doing good deeds or keeping the Ten Commandments viewing life with God as a checklist. Some try by going to church or giving money to feel better and guess what...NONE of these will ever take away sin. Good works can not save us and nothing we can do will fix our sin problem.

Side note: I used to believe that being a good person was enough and that made me sinless. But look, according to the Ten Commandments...I was never a good person in God's eyes to begin with. According to his standards! And neither are you. We have ALL done and or not done some of these acts.

The Bible says,

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12)

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5)

‍According to his mercy, HE SAVED US. That is the Good News! God did it!

Because God loves us and does not want us to die and live in eternal torment, he did what we could not do. He made a way for us to know him and be saved. God sent his Son Jesus Christ to earth to offer himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus says, "I am the way."

The Bible says,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

"Christ...suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18)

"But God commands his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

After three days, Jesus rose from the dead - He lives forever and has given us a special gift. Our advocate, the holy spirit residing in us leads us to a lifestyle of holiness, righteousness, and a relationship with him with the ability to help guide us into making choices that follow God's perfect will for our lives.

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I hope this makes sense so far! Now, how can we enter the way God made through Jesus Christ?

Only by faith can we receive the wonderful gifts God gives us in the living Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁾ Faith means believing in the risen Lord:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31)

²⁾ Faith means trusting the living Jesus to save you: "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)

³⁾ Faith means repenting of our sin - being sorry and turning away from sin:

"Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15)

⁴⁾ Faith means inviting Jesus to live in you and to take control of your life: "Thomas answered and said unto [Jesus], My Lord and my God" (John 20:28)

My question to you is, where do you want to stand? In guilt, emptiness, bitterness, and selfishness or joy, love, peace, true fulfillment, purpose, and eternal life?

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This verse below reminds me of the sacrifice Jesus bore for us. He didn't have to take on this responsibility, but it was necessary. Jesus did what his father asked and because of so, we can spend eternity with him forever. We can have a relationship with him! Let this scripture marinate in the deepest part of your soul and let's never forget what Jesus has done for every single one of us. Remember, he washed our sins away. We are new once we believe in his sacrifice.

"Surely he took our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-6)

If you want to receive Jesus and allow him to take full control of your life, say this prayer out loud:

Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father. I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please you. I choose you. I give myself to you. I receive your forgiveness and ask you to take your rightful place in my life as my Savior and Lord. Come reign in my heart, fill me with your love and your life, and help me to become a truly loving person—a person like you. Restore me, Jesus. Live in me. Love through me. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jesus loves you more than you know and he wants to hold you in his arms forever 💛 you won't regret your decision! Let's mature in Christ together!

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Read "How You Can Recieve Jesus", "Growing In Your Walk With God" and "I'm Just a Daughter and a Servant: My Testimony" blog posts for more.

Much love.

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