Streaming Good News
The Gospel does not offer cheap grace. Cheap grace is no grace.
It is only conditional grace offered at low price. Grace is so precious it cannot be
bought at any price. It can only be received as a free gift.
The Law not only reveals that I'm a sinful creature, it confronts me with the sin, and
the stupidity of playing Creator when I'm only a creature.
The very quality of grace is that it cannot be self-acquired. Its transfer must occur
through its announcement directly to us by a proclaiming source outside of us.
~Brandon Hanson, summarizing Gerard Forde
What is good news to you? Could it be an answer to a problem, a fear relieved, an unexpected gift, an undeserved provision in a time of need, or a rescue responding to your distress call? Can you have good news without experiencing the bad news first? Can it be truly good if you don’t know just how badly you need it?
I was the first to tell Zion,
“Look! Help is on the way!”
I will send Jerusalem a messenger with good news.
Not one of your idols told you this.
Not one gave any answer when I asked.
Isaiah 41:27-28
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
That is why the Scriptures say,
“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said,
“Lord, who has believed our message?”
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:15-17
Good news is always announced. And you can’t announce something to yourself. It has to come from outside yourself, hearing it from an outside source or another person. If the good news doesn’t come from outside yourself, it might do something at first to give temporary relief, but it won’t relieve your heart or give you hope. It might end up just being another one of your momentary fixes or self-saving projects.
Where are you getting your good news? Could it be that it appears good at first but only brings burden, worry, and death? If it promises happiness or success apart from Jesus, adds anything to the work of Jesus, or is only good news for you and not for others, then it’s not good news at all.
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God,
who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.
You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News
but is not the Good News at all.
You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
So what does God say this Good News is really all about?
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and
to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
Isaiah 61:1
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.
Romans 1:17
This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—
that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
Acts 10:36
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!
Isaiah 52:7
What kind of news is life-giving and hopeful to you? What news, if you heard it today, would make your heart sing? Consider asking Jesus to bring this good news to you. It could come in the form of His Word, a song, worship with your church community, a text from a friend, a mentor or counselor, or a Gospel coach (someone walking alongside you with the good news). Sometimes we have to ask others for help in finding good news. We can’t do this alone and God never designed us to live apart from a Gospel (Good News) community. Listen for the Good News!
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Do you have to know your need first before good news in the form of rescue and relief can be received and appreciated? What would it look like to ask God to show you your need for Good News?
What is good news to you? Does it eventually weigh you down, demand more of you, or feel burdensome? Or is it life-giving, hope-filled, and sets you free from your constant “doing?” Is it enjoyed passively before any exertion?
Where are you getting your good news? Who is announcing good news to you regularly? Would examining what you “feed on” throughout the week possibly show you where you think you’ll find good news?
Who are you announcing Good News to in your life? What if you asked God to bring along people in your life to share your story of how the Good News of God making things right is changing you?
by Melissa Lien