If you have seen the headlines lately, you may have noticed there doesn't seem to be much good news.
But actually there really is! If you know where to look.
Here are some headlines worth reading...
The Earth Was Created for Good
It doesn’t take much global, cultural, and personal awareness to recognize that there is something majorly wrong in the world. Brokenness, evil, and pain are inevitable. And seemingly insurmountable.
However, this is not how the world was created to be. God, the creator of the world, after looking at it, said it was very good! We can all sense this deep down inside. When you see a majestic mountain, the roaring, foaming ocean, or experience true, life-giving love in a relationship, your deepest sense of reality probably nudges you towards the goodness and power of the Creator!
“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good indeed.” Genesis 1:31
Something Went Terribly Wrong
But sin entered the world through the willful choice of humanity. Sin is more than a mistake, it is deliberate rebellion against that good and all-powerful Creator. And with sin comes death, brokenness, sorrow, evil, and pain. And no one can pass the blame or the responsibility of this to others. We each, deep down inside, know we have committed wrong against God and others. This sin causes the brokenness in the world around us. And it also causes us to stand guilty and condemned before a holy God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” -Romans 3:23
There Is A Plan To Make It Right
There is good news! Do you know what God did to save sinful men and women? He sent His One and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to save us! Jesus’ death was offered in place of our own, so that God can forgive us without belittling the seriousness of sin. Rather, our debt was paid in full by Jesus as our substitute. And Jesus told us that whoever believes in him will not perish, but will have everlasting life. The Apostle Paul put it this way:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
It's Available Now For You & Me
Jesus died on the cross as our substitute, and then he rose from the grave three days later! This demonstrated he truly defeated death on our behalf, and validated his claims of being Lord. So what we are called to do then, is to turn from our sin, and believe in Jesus. When we do this, we are forgiven from our sins... all of them past, present, and future! We are reconciled to and enter into a relationship with God. We are given the promise of eternal life with God in heaven. But not only that! We are also given a new quality of life now through the Holy Spirit!
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Jesus, in Mark 1:15
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” -Acts 3:19
Can you believe this good news?!? While sin separated us from God, He provided a way for us to be reconciled in relationship with Him for eternity! By praying a simple prayer of surrender and by turning from your sin to the God that loves you so much, you can experience new life!
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." -Romans 10:9
At Bethany Church, we are all about sharing the Good News with people and helping them learn to follow Jesus. We would love to talk to you more about this. If you click on the form below, a pastor will contact you to discuss how you can make this life-transforming decision!