Ponder: Gospel means “good news”; why do I need it?
Scripture: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NKJV).
Suppose your doctor called you at 2 AM and told you in an excited tone, “There’s a new medication that was just approved and it worked flawlessly in every clinical trial to control high blood pressure!” You reply, “That’s great, doc, but I don’t have high blood pressure.” In your case, that good news wouldn’t be very meaningful. If, on the other hand, you had dangerously high blood pressure and had unsuccessfully tried every medication available to bring it down, the good news of a new and effective drug would strongly attract your attention.
Now think about the gospel of Christ. The word gospel is accurately defined as good news, glad tidings. But why is it good news? In a nutshell the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. But why is that good news? Before it can mean much to me, I must understand the bad news. That bad news is, of course, that have sinned and am therefore under condemnation (Romans 3:23). Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). He doesn’t do this through spine-tingling feelings, but through His inspired word. When Peter charged the Jews with murdering their Messiah, “they were cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37) and pleaded to know how to be saved.
Nobody enjoys being the bearer of bad news. But until people understand the bad news, the good news won’t interest them. How many would have been saved on Pentecost had Peter’s words not convicted them of sin?
Your friends and family need to hear the good news; but first make certain they understand the bad news.
Hymn: “None of Self and All of Thee”
Prayer: Father, may our proclaiming of Your word convict the world of sin and move people to believe and obey the good news of Christ. In His name, Amen.
— Joe Slater
