Good News, Bad News

“I have good news and I have bad news.  Which do you want first?”  I will invariably choose the bad news first.  I like ending on a happier note, so give me the worst first.

The bad news is, I’m a sinner.  We don’t use the word sin much in our politically-correct lives these days.  But sin exists, and we all commit it.  Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  And more bad news:  like it or not, God abhors sin and demands a penalty.  “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23).  Death!  We all deserve to die for our sins, large or small!

The good news is, God is loving and forgiving.  He cares so much for us that he paid the price, once and for all, for all our sins.  God became human, voluntarily eschewing all the glory and sovereignty of being God, to live the perfect human life and die as the perfect atonement, the payment of death for our sins! The end of the sentence is “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b).  That’s the good news—the best news ever!  The greatest gift ever!

The first to hear it were the shepherds on that first Christmas.  The angel announced to them “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)  “For ALL the people.”  Yes, for 21^st-century, politically correct people, as well as first-century shepherds and everyone in between.  We don’t have to die because Jesus paid the price for our sin.  A gift beyond all gifts.  All I have to do is admit my guilt and accept that gift and I’m absolved of every sin, great and small, I’ve ever committed and ever will commit!  How much God loves me and you!  Now, that’s good news.  Thank you, Jesus

Marilyn is a retired OB/GYN and member of the Study With Friends Ministries advisory board.