Why do we call it Good News?
Because of a promise
It goes back to Adam and Eve. Our first parents decided that they wanted to take the place of God—deciding for themselves what is right and wrong. They doomed all of us to lives of pain, sorrow, hardship, inevitable death and future judgment.
But God promised to come after us—personally. He would be the Leader, Champion and Hero our first parents were not. He kept his promise through his son, Jesus.
How did his plan work?
- God actually took on human flesh and became one of us
- On the cross he became our Champion—taking on our sin and absorbing God’s hatred of it
- God himself became our shield of salvation
- Our slate was wiped clean
- Christ paid our moral debt
- We can stand before God forgiven – our judgement paid by Jesus
It sounds unfair. But Jesus volunteered for it. And God’s plan is the only way to find his forgiveness. Or have a relationship with him.
And the Bible promises that faith in this amazing gift will transform us.
- It grows a desire for God-centered living
- We learn to live in the love God has given us—love that yearns for holiness, expresses itself in compassion and overcomes fear—even of the grave
How can you be included?
That’s actually the easy part. Jesus has done the hard work.
What is required of you?
- Genuinely receive this gospel of good news and trust in it
- Believe that the way He tells us to live is the way we were meant to live
- Believe that God has always been good, that human pain is the result of human sin
- Believe that when God has filled His church to his satisfaction, he will put an end to pain forever and love his own more than we can imagine
People who believe in Jesus and his gospel believe these things. Ask a Pastor to answer any questions you may have. Ask any Christian about the sense of purpose and peace Christ gives them. You can believe in Christ and follow him any time you want.
And you will never regret it.