What is the good news of the Gospel?

Thur April 17, 2014

What really is the “Good News” about the Gospel

Today, there are millions of professed preachers throughout the world who invite us to “accept the Gospel – the Good News.” To many people, it appears as though this good news has all to do with gaining material wealth, freedom from financial problems, acquiring massive houses, posh cars, expensive jewellery and clothes etc.{{more}} We often hear from their pulpits that “God’s people are not poor people, they are highly favoured…” It is also common to turn on your television and hear entire sermons about “putting your money in the church’s treasury…to receive a blessing from God.”

So, what really is the good news about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? In Romans 1:16, 17 the apostle Paul (whose life of sacrifice was totally opposite to many modern-day ministers) tells us that he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because “it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” He then explains to us why the Gospel is able to save us – “ for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith…” We see therefore that the good news about the gospel is that it gives man God (Righteousness) in his heart through the faith or revealed word of Jesus Christ. This is enough to cause men everywhere who come into contact with the Gospel to rejoice in praise and thanksgiving to our risen Saviour and King. This should cause us to glorify God who is able to remove the darkness of sin from our mind and shine the marvellous light of the glorious Gospel into our heart. This is indeed good news, especially in a world that seems so loveless and where selfishness, crime and violence seem like the norm. The good news of the Gospel gives us hope that we do not have to be slaves to sin. Jesus Christ can liberate our minds from the errors of sin. He can bring us into harmony with His divine precepts that we may be able to genuinely love Him and our fellowmen. Yes, love each other with a love that is driven by holy principles, free from deceit, pretense and convenience! Isn’t this hope, dear reader? But alas, many find that the real good news about the gospel is not good enough. They find that the good old time religion is not fanciful enough because it requires total surrender. It requires a radical change from practicing sin to living “soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.” But I say halleluyah to this Gospel. It is the Gospel that saves from sin and makes us servants of righteousness. This is Good News indeed! Would you receive it today?

Ann-Marie Ballantyne

svgpatriot@hotmail.com