It's Called Good News for a Reason
If you have resisted sharing the GOOD NEWS because of the fear of sharing the BAD NEWS, then this should be music to your ears!
Introduction
Many people find it difficult to share the gospel. If we were to look at the reasons why people avoid giving bad news, we would find the exact same reasons people don’t like to share the gospel.
We are in major trouble when sharing the GOOD NEWS feels like we are sharing BAD NEWS! It’s a sure sign that we’ve messed something up along the way.
So let’s look at getting back to the Good News.
When were you saved?
There is a funny language quirk that twists the gospel message. It becomes obvious when we answer the question, “When were you saved?”
We can say we were saved when we believed.
And we can say we were saved when Jesus died and rose for us.
Do you see the quirk? Both are correct.
However, we have over-emphasised one, (saved when we respond) and forgotten the other. (saved when Jesus rose again!)
Emphasising “saved” when we repond, frames God’s love as conditional upon our response.
Emphasising “saved” when Jesus rose again, frames God’s love as a free gift of grace.1
Let me show you how clearing this up will lead to a new found confidence and excitement to share the GOOD NEWS!
The Good News: You’re Included!
The Good News is that God has done something that has impacted the whole world. Jesus life, death and resurrection has touched every single human. Note the use of the word “all” in this passage,
“just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.” (Romans 5:18)
The gospel then, is a declaration of what God has done, and repentance and belief is our response. This is a common theme throughout The New Testament. For example…
In Jesus’ very first message Jesus declared, “The time has come! The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:13) The kingdom has come near has happened. Repentance and belief is in response to that reality.
In 1 Corinthians 5 the Apostle Paul tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.2 The world has been reconciled. However, he states that we still need to respond in order to experience this reality, “therefore be reconciled…”3
In 1 Timothy 4:10, Paul says that “God is the Saviour of all people, especially those who believe.” Who has God saved? All people. However, those who believe get an “especially” remark because they are the ones that get to participate in and enjoy this reality.
The GOOD NEWS is that God has done something to save us all! And repentance and belief is how you get to participate in this free gift…
The Bad News: People Can’t See!
Many evangelism courses teach that for Good News to be good, we need to share Bad News first. Not only does this rarely happen in the New Testament, it is a misguided understanding of what the bad news actually is.
We have been told that the bad news is that we are sinners. However, how can that be bad news when Jesus has already dealt with sin? Sin is not the issue any longer. After all we are told that:
Jesus is a friend of sinners. (Matthew 11:19)
God is no longer counting our sins against us. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Love keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5)
The bad news is that people cannot see Jesus yet! They are blinded, and therefore they are not yet enjoying all the goodness that Jesus has for them! The Apostle Paul says,
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4.
This means the role of the Disciple of Jesus is to reveal what Jesus has done. Our role is to help people see. To open blind eyes! Paul quotes Jesus in Acts 26:18,
I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
If you have resisted sharing the GOOD NEWS because of a fear of sharing the BAD NEWS, then this should be music to your ears! You don’t have to do that!
The Strategy: Opening Eyes!
Sharing the GOOD NEWS is all about opening peoples eyes to what God has already done. The Scriptures give us a number of ways to do this including,
Prayer (Ephesians 1:17-19) Here Paul models praying that peoples eyes would be open to the love of God! We can do the same!
Good Deeds (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:12). Here we are taught that our good deeds will point people to God! Salt and Light!
Declaring and Demonstrating the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 4:5-6). As we declare what God has done, and demonstrate it with signs and wonders peoples eyes will be open.
Oneness (John 17:20-23). Jesus prays that we would be one so that the world would believe He is God! Love and Unity with the Church will open peoples eyes!
Love (John 13:34–35). People will come to see God when they see the love we have for them, and for other people.
Let’s Go!
I hope that when you look at that list you can say, “I can do that!”
When we realise how GOOD our GOOD NEWS is, we will be excited to share it. When our objective is to tell people what God has already done, we are emphaising the extremely generous, “free gift of God!” And who doesn’t like to give away free gifts?
Jesus said people are “Ripe for the Harvest!” Why? Because all people have been included in Jesus atoning work, and He is passionately drawing them all to Himself.
As followers of Jesus, we’ve now been invited into the mission of opening peoples eyes to this reality. It requires more than just words. It requires our whole life being set apart.
It’ time to “Holy Go!”
Let’s do this!
James
#GoLoveMultiplyRepeat
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. NRSV.
2 Corinthians 5:19
2 Corinthians 5:20
I like how you have emphasised and reframed the more hopeful and loving message of the gospel. It helps us to engage with others in a more positive way.
I call it “Best News”