Everyone likes good news. There is so much disappointment today, it is refreshing to hear of something that encourages, brings a smile, or causes hope. The best news of all time is revealed to us in the Bible as the Gospel. The word, “Gospel”, means “good news” and refers to the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and then rose from the grave on the third day (I Corinthians 15:1-4).
To understand the importance of this good news, we must realize that all people are sinners and that sin separates us from a holy God (Romans 3:10,23; Isaiah 59:2). Because God is holy, He cannot approve of sin nor allow sinners into His presence. Many believe God will allow them into Heaven if they earn their way through good deeds or religious practices. But the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8,9 that we are saved through faith, “not of works, lest any man should boast”. All the good deeds of our lifetime will not erase the fact that we are sinners, and sin separates us from God.
Our sin puts us in a desperate condition of no hope. We are powerless to change our sinful condition. But God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from Heaven to become a man, so that He could be our substitute and do for us what we could not do for ourselves. Jesus, the God-Man, lived a perfect life and had no sin of His own. When He went to the cross of Calvary, God the Father placed on Him the sin of the world, and, as our substitute, He paid the complete price for that sin (Isaiah 53:6; I Peter 2:24;3:18).
Before He died, He cried the victorious cry, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). That meant the price for our sins had been paid in full. Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit (Luke 23:46). But on the third day, He arose victorious over death and the grave (Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-7). His resurrection was proof that He had completely satisfied God’s just demands for our sins. Our sins have been paid for, and salvation is available to all who will believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
My friend, you are a sinner, and your sin separates you from God. Will you come in faith to Jesus today? Admit to Him your sinful condition, and believe that He died for your sins and rose from the grave. Call upon Him to save you, and He will (Romans 10:13)! When you accept by faith what Jesus did for you and trust Him to be your Savior, you will become a child of God (John 1:11,12). You will be assured of forgiveness, acceptance by Him, and a future home in Heaven. Now that is good news!