“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;”
- The Prophet Isaiah speaking of the coming Messiah in Isaiah 61:1-2
“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose."
-Jesus in Luke 4:43
“The main part of our salvation is the expiation of human sins by Christ’s death.”
- John Calvin, quoted in The Glory of the Atonement, p. 279
“The cross is the greatest surprise of human history. None of the religions of the world could even have thought of such a thing.”
- John Ensor, The Great Work of the Gospel, p. 12
“The completed work of Christ on the Cross tells us not just about man’s need of salvation, nor about how it was accomplished, but most of all about the God who saves. God is a God of grace.”
- Paul Wells, Cross Words, p. 233
This week I’ve watched the sad drama unfold in Eldorado, Texas. At one point I watched a video feed for a movie produced by a Christian ministry (http://www.lhvm.org/polygamy.htm) about folks that had escaped the bondage of Mormonism as practicing polygamists. At the end of the movie several ex-Mormons gave their testimony and one woman in particular gave a striking testimony to the gospel. She kept saying, ‘The gospel is good news and all that I had heard was bad news.’ Here was a woman nearly brought to ruin by false religion and steeped in the damaging practice of polygamy, and now she has found news beyond compare.
What is the only remedy for soul-sick sinners? Where is the only place to turn when every other news is bad? There is no consolation elsewhere. There is good news only in the gospel. In fact, it’s the best news and every other news pales in comparison. The good news of the kingdom is that the gospel in all of its fullness has come in the person and work of Christ. In the gospel a sinner’s transgressions have been forgiven by the only one who can, and in addition the sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ. In the gospel an amazing and glorious exchange has taken place. Every sin, without exception, has been atoned for in the work of Christ. For hell-bound sinners without hope this is good news for those who believe it. This is good news for you and me.
Dan
“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose."
-Jesus in Luke 4:43
“The main part of our salvation is the expiation of human sins by Christ’s death.”
- John Calvin, quoted in The Glory of the Atonement, p. 279
“The cross is the greatest surprise of human history. None of the religions of the world could even have thought of such a thing.”
- John Ensor, The Great Work of the Gospel, p. 12
“The completed work of Christ on the Cross tells us not just about man’s need of salvation, nor about how it was accomplished, but most of all about the God who saves. God is a God of grace.”
- Paul Wells, Cross Words, p. 233
This week I’ve watched the sad drama unfold in Eldorado, Texas. At one point I watched a video feed for a movie produced by a Christian ministry (http://www.lhvm.org/polygamy.htm) about folks that had escaped the bondage of Mormonism as practicing polygamists. At the end of the movie several ex-Mormons gave their testimony and one woman in particular gave a striking testimony to the gospel. She kept saying, ‘The gospel is good news and all that I had heard was bad news.’ Here was a woman nearly brought to ruin by false religion and steeped in the damaging practice of polygamy, and now she has found news beyond compare.
What is the only remedy for soul-sick sinners? Where is the only place to turn when every other news is bad? There is no consolation elsewhere. There is good news only in the gospel. In fact, it’s the best news and every other news pales in comparison. The good news of the kingdom is that the gospel in all of its fullness has come in the person and work of Christ. In the gospel a sinner’s transgressions have been forgiven by the only one who can, and in addition the sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ. In the gospel an amazing and glorious exchange has taken place. Every sin, without exception, has been atoned for in the work of Christ. For hell-bound sinners without hope this is good news for those who believe it. This is good news for you and me.
Dan
1 comment:
Definately. The gospel is the best news ever. It is so freeing to know that our salvation is ALL about God and NOT about me and my "good" works. I can now serve and do good works ONLY as a response to the gospel and what God has ALREADY done through Jesus Christ. :) Keeps us humble, and praising him that is worthy.
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