Good News or Bad News
I caught just a snippet of a program with Michael Horton, the author of the new book Gospel-Driven: Good News People in a Bad News World.
The conversation focused on our incredible need of a savior, the overwhelming penalty of our sin, and the need for us to live passionately to share the good news with others.
It got me thinking . . .
While I know that the gospel is truly good news (the most amazing news ever!) I know that many others will not view it that way.
Sometimes I feel like I'm bringing bad news to a good news world.
The gospel looks like bad news to those that float through this life in ignorant bliss as a "good" person.
It sounds like bad news to those that want to live however they choose and let eternity worry about itself.
It initially feels bad to those that just want to feel good.
It smells of external expectations to those that just want to smell the roses.
It appears very different from good news to those who don't understand the truth and depth of the love behind it.
Then, talked with my kids about "Good" Friday. They said, "Some people misunderstand the day and think it should be called 'Bad' Friday. But, it is good because of what Jesus did for us that day."
Blake, tongue in cheek, reminded us this isn't to be confused with Black Friday. Interesting that this would come up with my mind racing as it was. Now that would be considered a good day by most of our society. But, the day they may don black and remember death and maybe even drag themselves to a church service would hardly qualify as "good."
Acts 14:15b says, "We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them."
The truth is, the good news is so good, and in our sinful state our vanity so blinds us, that we misinterpret it. We miss the point.
God, the creator of the universe, loves me so deeply that He laid aside His glory and spent 33 years in this trouble filled existence we call life, so that we may experience true life. His death and resurrection secured an eternal reward I could never attain on my own.
That is good news.
The conversation focused on our incredible need of a savior, the overwhelming penalty of our sin, and the need for us to live passionately to share the good news with others.
It got me thinking . . .
While I know that the gospel is truly good news (the most amazing news ever!) I know that many others will not view it that way.
Sometimes I feel like I'm bringing bad news to a good news world.
The gospel looks like bad news to those that float through this life in ignorant bliss as a "good" person.
It sounds like bad news to those that want to live however they choose and let eternity worry about itself.
It initially feels bad to those that just want to feel good.
It smells of external expectations to those that just want to smell the roses.
It appears very different from good news to those who don't understand the truth and depth of the love behind it.
Then, talked with my kids about "Good" Friday. They said, "Some people misunderstand the day and think it should be called 'Bad' Friday. But, it is good because of what Jesus did for us that day."
Blake, tongue in cheek, reminded us this isn't to be confused with Black Friday. Interesting that this would come up with my mind racing as it was. Now that would be considered a good day by most of our society. But, the day they may don black and remember death and maybe even drag themselves to a church service would hardly qualify as "good."
Acts 14:15b says, "We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them."
of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that The truth is, the good news is so good, and in our sinful state our vanity so blinds us, that we misinterpret it. We miss the point.
God, the creator of the universe, loves me so deeply that He laid aside His glory and spent 33 years in this trouble filled existence we call life, so that we may experience true life. His death and resurrection secured an eternal reward I could never attain on my own.
That is good news.
We also are men, of like nature with you,
and we bring you good news, that
you should turn from these vain things to a living God,
who made the heaven and the earth
and the sea and all that is in them.
and we bring you good news, that
you should turn from these vain things to a living God,
who made the heaven and the earth
and the sea and all that is in them.
~Acts 14:15b~
Comments
Blessings to you and your little bun in the oven! :) ~Leah
Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this struggle. I know it's the best news, but I also know others won't necessarily see it that way.
Thanks for the comment, and for linking to me. Miss you!!
~Erin