Good News! A Positive Message

Could you use something positive in your life? If you keep up with today's current events, then I know you could use some good news. In fact, I have something exciting to tell you: it is very likely that you have the good news in your house already. There are about three copies of God's Word in the average American household – that's where you're going to find this good news.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1, Paul says, "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel..." That word "gospel" means "good news!" Paul had something good to tell the church at Corinth. Paul's entire ministry was centered around something good! In fact, it was so good that the name by which it was identified – gospel – literally meant good news!

I'm telling you that the message of the Bible is a positive message. I know that the Bible addresses the sin problem (Rom. 3:23; 6:23), the danger of temptation (James 1:13-15), hell (Mat. 25:46), and other topics that are generally unpleasant, sad, and hard to hear, but the main message of the Bible is HOPE through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:3)! Our message – the gospel's message – is that Jesus saves! There is no better message than that.

Many people look at the Bible as a book of "cannot's," as though it's filled with nothing more than "thou shalt not do this" and "thou shalt not do that." Yes, the Bible does condemn sinful activity. However, we must realize the reason why the Bible gives us these warnings and condemnations: because sin distracts us from the good news! The real message of the Bible is "you CAN." You CAN go to heaven! You CAN be saved! You CAN have a relationship with God (cf. Psa. 34:8)!

The Colossian Christians had experienced the positive power of the gospel firsthand. They had hope laid up for them in heaven, "of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel" (Col. 1:3-5). They heard the positive message, received it, and the result was a powerful, positive impact on their lives. The same can thing can happen for you!

Let's preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Let's warn people of the dangers of sin and of the horrors of hell. We must. But let's not forget to include the positive message of the gospel of Christ. Jesus has saved my soul, and He can save your soul, too!