Yes! There is Good News
In today's world everywhere you turn there is "bad" news. Whether you read the national or local newspaper, listen to the radio in your car, or watch the news on television, there is virtually always "bad" news.
With so many sources of "bad" news, one might ask, "How can anyone say there is good news?"
Just what is this Good News?
The good news is simply that Jesus has paid the penalty for your sin, provided a way to Heaven, and offers it to you free of charge. Now admittedly, very few things in this world are truly free, but be assured that this offer is completely free, requires little effort on your part, and once accepted is guaranteed forever. That's right, this is not just a lifetime guarantee, this offer is guaranteed forever.
The requirements for acceptance of this offer are spelled out clearly in the Bible. The Bible is God's Word, His letter to us, giving us His offer of this free gift, and His eternal guarantee.
First of all we must admit that we are sinners. Man as a whole
has inherited sin from the first man, Adam. Romans 5:12 states:
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that
all have sinned:" Then we see in Romans 3:10, "As
it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:" Finally
in Romans 3:23 it is even more clear, "All
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
The Bible also tells us that there is a penalty for sin. Looking back
at Romans 5:12 we see, "... death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
Romans 6:23 also tells us, "For the
wages of sin is death;..." This refers to not only physical
death, Hebrews 9:27
"And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
but spiritual death and separation from God forever. Revelation
20: 12 - 15
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and
the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were
in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and
they were judged every man according to their works. And death and
hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire."
If that were all the Bible had to say on the subject one might think, "This is supposed to be Good News? All I've seen so far is bad news." You might even be tempted to leave...
Wait! The Good News starts here.
Back in Romans 6:23 we read, "The wages of sin is death;" Thankfully, that isn't the entire verse. The second half of the verse states: "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." With one little three-letter word "but" the whole outlook changes.
The gift of God. That's right, a gift. Unlike so many "gifts," this one comes with no strings, no hidden catches, no fine print. The only thing you have to do is accept it. This is the free offer that is guaranteed forever; Eternal Life.
Now that we know what the gift is, how does one accept that gift? You accept the gift by:
- Understanding that God loves you.
You've probably seen those signs at sporting events that say "John 3:16". If you've ever wondered what that meant, you're about to find out. In John 3:16 the Bible states, "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." - Believing that Jesus is God's Son. Mark 1:9
- 11
"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 27:54
"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done. they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." - Believing that Jesus died for your sin. Romans
5:8
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Believing that Jesus rose from the dead. 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." - Believing that you are not good enough to get to Heaven by yourself.
Romans 3:10
"As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one:" Ephesians 2:8 - 9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Believing that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. John
3:17
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." - Calling on Jesus for salvation. Romans 10:9
- 10, 13
"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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
That's it; that's all there is to it!
If you have read this and would like to trust Christ as your Savior, all you have to do is pray a simple prayer something like this.
Dear Jesus,
I know I'm a sinner. I know that I am not able to get to Heaven on my own. I believe that you died for me and rose again. I ask you to forgive me of my sin and be my Savior. I claim your promise that all who call on your name will be saved. Thank you for that promise. Amen!
If you prayed that prayer, we would like to know about it. Please give us a call at 517-263-4312 and let us know. We would like to get you some more information to help you grow in your new life in Christ.
