When the angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds, they said they were bringing “Good tidings of great joy!” The word “gospel” literally means “good news”. What is the good news? It is this: Jesus came to save you by dying in your place, taking the wrath of God for your sin upon Himself so that in His great love, He could offer you eternal life as a free gift of grace. Yes, a completely free gift to you. You can’t earn, buy or deserve it no matter how good, moral, and religious or holy you try to be. It can only be received as a gift through faith in Christ: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. That’s good news!

Most of religion today is not good news, but goes something like this: Jesus died for your sin and now you must accept Him and once you do, here is the list of religious requirements and rules that you must follow. You take one look at it and say, “I can’t do that”. The good news just became bad news.

The real good news of the gospel says that if you will simply trust and receive what Jesus has done for you by faith, you can become a child of God right now and have your name written in the Book of Life. You can know today that you are forgiven, reconciled to God and headed for an eternity of incredible joy in Heaven. The last thing Jesus said on the cross before dying was “It is finished!” He was saying that He just completed all that was required to purchase your redemption. That’s good news!

The good news of the Gospel says that you can turn to Jesus and be saved, forgiven and accepted by God just as you are today. You needn’t make yourself holy first because you can’t change yourself anyway. Come as you are.

Your part is to recognize your sinful state and call upon the mercy and grace of God as offered to you through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on your behalf. Placing your faith and trust in Jesus and Him alone for your salvation is how you receive the gift He offers you. When you do, amazing things happen. You are forgiven of every sin you have ever committed and Jesus comes to live in your heart via His Holy Spirit. He doesn’t come with a list of rules (good news!); He comes with love and peace as He places within you a new heart. He also comes with eternal life. You see, Jesus doesn’t just offer you eternal life, He IS your eternal life! When Jesus lives inside of you then eternal life also lives inside you - it’s a package deal.

Are you instantly made perfect? Yes, in God’s eyes you are (Romans 3:24, 28). When God now looks at you He sees His Son Jesus in you with the blood of Jesus covering you and literally erasing all your sin from the Heavenly record. The Bible says you are “justified (declared righteous)” because Jesus’ own righteousness is applied to your heavenly account; not because of your religious performance but because of your faith in Jesus Christ. That’s good news!

Do you instantly act perfect? No, but you will find that your new heart toward God begins affecting the way you live. Since you are now in right standing with God as a child of His Kingdom, you begin desiring to live like his child. Your outward actions will begin to reflect the inward change of heart, and over time you will be transformed more and more into the image of the One who lives in you. It’s a wonderful process that begins with the free gift of salvation. Now that’s really good news!

Bob Holland

Faith in Action Ministries