Let's Go Back to the Bible

Need Some Good News?

What is the best news you have ever been able to share? The announcement of an engagement or maybe the birth of a child? Perhaps a good report from the doctor or an important interview? Whatever the good news is, it feels good to share!

Our work as Christians is much like what Isaiah spoke about in his day. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified” (Isa. 61:1-3).

Paul talks about Christians sharing the good news as the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). He mentions future judgment for all deeds done in the body, “whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Then, based on that, “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11). Even though some thought they were out of their minds, this was to the glory of God. Yet, those Christians knew them to be of sound mind, and the message was to their benefit (2 Cor. 5:15). Not too different from today. Many would consider the message of Christ to be crazy and not worth learning. We know the truth and press on.  Paul says, “the love of Christ controls/compels us” to share the message (2 Cor. 5:14). “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

We get to share the best news ever! We are ambassadors of eternal peace, in a heavenly realm, with an all-powerful Ruler. Our governing authority has shown that He cares for us individually and collectively. “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ… namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-19). We warn and persuade men away from the judgment to come toward reconciliation. We share with others that will allow them to stand with confidence before the throne on the day of their judgment! Will they all listen? No. Will they say we are crazy and mock us? Maybe. We get to say that a child was born, a bride is waiting, death is conquered, and we can nail that final interview.