The gospel of salvation as it is written in the scriptures is often referred to as the good news, for it tells us that God sent His son into the world to save as many as would be saved, by His death for us on Calvary. And indeed the sacrifice that Christ has made on our behalf has made a huge difference in the millions of lives that have been freed from the shackles of sin.
Drug addicts have been changed into ministers of the gospel, murderers have become apostles, former gang members are now serving as deacons, and prostitutes have been changed into the most faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel is indeed good news.
However, for some reason, we seem to be constantly bombarded mostly with bad news. Every day there are new reports of senseless violence, wanton murders, riots, national revolts, territorial disputes, social unrest, mass layoffs, suicide bombings, fraud, abductions, adulteries, child molestations, robberies, hackings, divorces, fatal accidents, mudslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hailstorms, tornadoes, calamities by air and by sea, and a host of other evils, to numerous and gruesome to mention.
Take for instance, in the last ten days there has been increasing turmoil and violence in Ukraine, and in addition, there is national unrest in Venezuela, in Syria, in Egypt, and the ages old feud between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Added to this is the so far unresolved mysterious disappearance of Malaysian jet flight 370 with 239 people aboard, and the recent sinking of the South Korean ferry with many people still missing. Also this week, over two hundred girls were kidnapped from their boarding school by the terrorist group Boko Haram, and right here in America, three Jews were gunned down by the indiscriminate hatred and violence of a member of a white supremacist group. All of these things are omens of a coming cataclysmic confrontation between the forces of good and evil, which according to the Bible is scheduled to take place in the not too distant future. These incidents, coupled together with the corresponding deteriorationof the moral fabric of society, are what Christ was referring to when He made the following solemn predictions. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 24:8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
There are those, even amongst Christians and Evangelicals who are looking forward to a millennium of peace on this earth, in which the coming kingdom of God will usher in a thousand years of peace on this planet. Those who are working towards this end are sadly mistaken, and will be subject to a very rude awakening when they realize too late that God has never mentioned any such thing in His word.
The reasons why lasting peace can never be achieved in this present world as we know it, is because the principles and laws of God’s kingdom are not generally incorporated into the thoughts and actions of nations and individuals alike, and as a direct result, the pursuit of any meaningful or lasting peace is the pursuit of an elusive dream.
For example, numerous presidents, vice-presidents, Envoys, and ambassadors have tried in vain to find a permanent resolution between the Israelis and Palestinians. The records show however that the results are always short-lived, and without fail, there has always been a resurgence of the enmity and intolerance between the two groups.
And so in order to clearly illustrate why the “bad news” seems to dominate the media outlets, we will show in a very graphic manner, how the principles of satan’s kingdom work with the inevitable results of alienation, hatred, bloodshed and crime.
Jason and Julie were the only two children of well-to-do, Christian parents who lived in the suburbs of Atlanta Georgia. Growing up in a well respected home and church community, they often had memorable experiences of hiking, vacationing, and socializing together. All seemed to go well for many years as their parents were able to amass a considerable amount of wealth and real estate through their wise management of funds.
However the world of this apparently perfect family came to a screeching halt when both their parents were killed suddenly by a drunken driver as they were returning home from a social event. After the funeral and burial of their parents, it was discovered that in all of their minute planning, they had not made a will for their children, and as a result Jason and Julie resorted to legal means to resolve the issue of dividing up the inheritance.
As the days and months passed by a family feud erupted as to who should be entitled to what, and it became so bitter that Jason and Julie stopped talking to one another, and every time the issue came up for resolution, there were bitter fights, cursings, and quarrellings between them. Their children were prohibited from speaking to each other, and finally, in order to protect what he thought were his rights, Jason hired a hit-man to take the life of his only sister.
This consequently resulted in a sentence of life imprisonment for Jason, and his children, who had nothing to do with the dispute, were forever deprived of a father’s love and presence, all because both Jason and Julie refused to surrender to the demands and avarice of each other.
This unfortunate situation could have been averted if the “Good news” of the gospel had been adopted and implemented, for it takes two to make an argument, and wherever the principles of God’s kingdom are practiced, strife and angry words are inhibited on the path of those who choose to follow the example and teachings of Christ. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded?
It was the principle of peaceful resolution through self-denial that Christ was alluding to when He answered a man that had brought the matter of dividing an inheritance for redress. Let’s read:
Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 12:14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
The adverse situation that developed between Jason and Julie is how the kingdom of satan works, for everyone who subscribes to his principles are primarily concerned about protecting their own, individual rights at all costs. Brothers and sisters have often been alienated by similar disputes, and nations have gone to war and shed much innocent blood because no one was willing to let the other have the last word.
Husbands and wives have been separated, and their children have become bewildered and confused, all because no one was willing to budge on what was considered to be their lawful rights. Churches have been torn apart and former brethren have become mortal enemies, all because no one was willing to surrender to the clamors, wishes, or demands of the other. And the list goes on and on and on.
On the contrary however is the “Good news” of the gospel that brings to light the principles of righteousness, mercy, mutual forbearance, a forgiving spirit, and the principle of self denial that puts God first, others next, and self last.
These principles, though foreign to the kingdoms of this world are the hallmarks of the entire Christian experience, and they are to be encouraged and incorporated in practical ways, in the lives of all those who call themselves Christians.
Christ is our example in all things, and before we make any hasty decision to act irrationally, before we fly into a rage over the violation of our freedoms and rights, God admonishes us to put ourselves in Jesus’ shoes to see what he would do in similar circumstances.
The principles of God’s law as embodied in the teachings and example of Christ are given for the benefit and longevity of individuals and nations, and even a cursory reading of them will immediately show that there’s a world of difference between the way God operates and the way satanic principles are adopted and implemented. Take for instance, the relationship between Christian borrowers and lenders, a relationship that often becomes volatile and strained when the borrower is in default, and arrears become insurmountable. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 24:10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. 24:11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. 24:12 And if the man [be] poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: 24:13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
This attitude here described is quite unlike the principles and methods employed in satan’s kingdom, where those who are owed money resort to ungodly means to retrieve their funds. The many harassing phone calls at all hours of the day and night, the clandestine stalking of peoples’ homes and businesses, the repossessor, the resort to legal means for restitution, all constitute methods that are entirely foreign to the kingdom of Christ.
Furthermore the Lord in His instructions to us on this point, shows us the spirit that should govern our thoughts and actions even in cases where we may be taken advantage of. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 15:7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, [in that] which he wanteth. 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
The year of release here mentioned was a cycle of seven recurring years, at the end of which, those who had lent funds to others were required by God to release their debtors from their obligations. We know without a doubt that, given human nature, this particular provision would be abused by would-be opportunists, who would deliberately wait until the time of release had almost arrived, to borrow, in order to escape their responsibility to repay their just dues.
In such cases the question will undoubtedly be asked by the lender, “What am I supposed to do in such cases”, for the provision itself seems on the surface to contain a loophole to the benefit of the borrower. The unfaltering answer is given by God Himself, for He is the mighty counselor to be consulted in all of the intricate affairs of life. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 15:10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
Again, the principle that should govern our actions in lending is reiterated by Christ, and if adopted and practiced, will fore-stall any argument, alienations , bad feelings, or bitter recriminations. Let’s read:
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 6:34 And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
These and other like principles were highlighted in the experiences of Abraham and lot, who because of increased prosperity and wealth, were forced to make a decision on separating from each other. Abraham was Lot’s superior, and the land of Canaan was promised by God to Abraham and his seed, yet Lot chose the most fertile and easily accessible region of the plain, leaving his older uncle to wrestle with the steeper hill country. Let’s read:
Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we [be] brethren.
13:9 [Is] not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if [thou depart] to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom.
However, Abraham diffused the highly volatile situation by humbly surrendering his rights to the younger lot, a decision that would seem by all modern, legal standards to be profoundly ill-advised. However the Bible tells us that God’s ways are not man’s ways, and what may often seem as a pretty dumb thing to do as it pertains to the instructions of the Almighty, actually turns out to be the catalyst for tremendous success.
And that’s why the life of the Christian is filled with paradoxes. We live by dying, we win by losing, we become strong when we are weak, we receive by giving, we are exalted when we are humbled and so forths.
The end result of abraham’s decision constitutes really good news. Let’s read:
Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered. 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
What then seemed like a smart business decision on the part of Lot, ended up being the very worst choice he had ever made, for sacred history shows that he lost his wife, his daughters, his house, his sons in law, his retirement, his investments, his 401k and everything he had ever held dear.
Furthermore, the two daughters who had made their escape with him to the mountains, ended up having children by him, to produce the Moabites and the Ammonites, tribes that warred against God’s people until their probation being closed, they were blotted out of existence, never more to resurface. Now this is what we call really bad news.
The gospel of salvation may often seem as if it doesn’t make sense to those who are not familiar with the ways of God. The death of Christ for our sins, the process of salvation and sanctification, and the steadfast adherence to the principles of righteousness in the face of dire, foreboding circumstances, may all seem to the secular mind as themes not worthy of consideration, or beyond finite comprehension.
However, in the final analysis, when all the chips are tallied up, it will be found that those who chose to live by the good news, will eventually be the permanent inhabitants of planet earth. This according to the scriptures. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Malachi 3:14 Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
If we allow Jesus to come into our lives, if we choose to live by the word of God, then the good news of the gospel will have a practical meaning in our lives and will yield positive results, for it cannot be otherwise. And so it is, that every day that passes by brings us closer to the day of final accounts, when the choices we have made over a lifetime, will speak either for or against us. May God help us to see these truths clearly, and may He bring our lives into harmony with His principles so that the announcement made at the end of life’s journey would be “Good news”. God bless!