After hearing about disastrous world events or learning of heartbreaks your friends are experiencing, you may wonder, “Is there ever any good news?”

ABSOLUTELY! What is it? I want to draw your attention to the ultimate good news. In Greek, the word used is euangelion, a proclamation of glad tidings, the gospel.

The word gospel is no longer familiar to many, and for those of us who understand its significance, this amazing, good news has lost its glimmer. I first read the phrase “preach the gospel to yourself everyday” in a book by Jerry Bridges. He asserted that the gospel isn’t merely something we believed at some past point in time, but the gospel bestows continual, ongoing effects of which we should remind ourselves each day.  

What is this good news of salvation?

It is inclusive – The gospel is the power of salvation for all who believe. Romans 1:16

It is exclusive – There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Jesus who lived, died, was buried, and was raised from death to appear to many is the only way. Acts 4:12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

It is complete – When Jesus died on the cross his final word tetelestai means, “It is finished!”  The debt of sin has been paid in full. For all those things we have done wrong and could never do enough good to make right, Jesus paid the price God required, a perfect sacrifice, Himself. John 19:28

It is ongoing. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection which Christ Jesus first possessed for me. Philippians 3:12

It is now. We are given His Spirit and His power to live in this world as overcomers not making a name or fortune for ourselves but to make His name known. Nothing can separate us from His love. He is always with us.  His grace is always sufficient, and God’s strength is best showcased through our weakness. Romans 8:35-39, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9

It is still future.  The empty tomb proclaims that we have hope, not only for this life but for the eternal life to come. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to you. Matthew 28:6, Romans 8:18

Whoever will call upon the Lord will be saved.  The invitation is for you! Romans 10:9-10