The message of the Bible is one of good news and bad news. The good news? The all powerful God of the universe, out of His compassion and generosity, created a beautiful world, established His plan for all of time and eternity, and created mankind to be a part of it. He gave us the gift of life. He gave us the ability to enjoy relationship with Him and with each other. He gave us the gift of senses to enjoy the wonder of all he has created. He gave us minds to think and free will to make choices.
The bad news? From the beginning, mankind has been in rebellion against God. Regardless of our opinion, God is in charge. He created the world. He has all authority over it, and over us. He deserves our worship and obedience. We sin when we value what we want as more important than what God wants. Sin began in the Garden with Adam and Eve, but we are all guilty. Sin breaks our relationship with God.
God has made it clear sin has consequences. He will judge sin. He warned Adam and Eve disobedience to His command would bring death. When Satan deceived them to eat the fruit God had forbidden, God banished them from the Garden. Adam and Eve’s descendants sank into more sin and rebellion. This eventually resulted in God sending a world-wide flood.
But there is more good news. Before God banished the first couple from the Garden, God began to reveal His plan of redemption. He promised a Redeemer, who would crush Satan. The Redeemer would be bruised in the process (Genesis 3:15).
God’s promise of Good News was carried by the prophets through the entire Old Testament. In fact the whole theme of the Bible is God’s story of redemption. His promised Savior would restore what sin destroyed.
The Good News is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died in our place, for our sin, so we could find forgiveness and a restored relationship with our Creator. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).
According to Romans 1:19-20, there is no excuse, for not knowing of the existence of God and our accountability to Him . . . What may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. God has revealed Himself through creation and through His Word, the Bible.
Those who suppress the truth about God, and persist in rebellion are stuck in the bad news. They descend into all kinds of depravity (Romans 1:18-32). Jesus will come again. Sin and evil will be judged.
Those who respond to God’s Good news have a secure future. God graciously offers salvation to all who accept the gift He offers. Judgment is coming, but all who put their faith in Jesus will be saved.
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 21-24 NIV
Have you accepted God’s Good News? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2024 Phyllis L. Farringer
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