The Encourager
“Bad News vs The Good News - by Ethan Tidwell”
Bad News vs The Good News
By Ethan Tidwell
The news often informs us of things currently going on in the world, usually bad or even terrible things. It often feels like the news only wants to disclose bad events or evil that is committed. It is very discouraging to always hear what undesirable things currently go on in our world, driving some to no longer have faith in humanity, or worse God. With a world of constant disaster (with nature) and the evil of mankind that you hear daily gets tiresome. Thankfully, we have the gospel which is “the good news.” Nothing can touch the holiness and greatness of this news because it leads to salvation.
It’s not good news in name only, and it’s certainly not news to satisfy your ears, but it’s news we all need to know. Jesus Christ is that good news, when He came to earth as a man He didn’t tell of what people wanted in life or how they want to be saved, “You can be saved by doing whatever you want to do”, or “Just say a prayer and everything is fine.” Not at all.
In fact, He said several things that may have and indeed did offend people, not because He wanted to but because He only spoke the truth. Matthew 10:37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” He then continues ‘he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” V.38 I’m sure plenty people were displeased when they heard this. The rich young ruler didn’t like what he heard “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matt.19:21-22, Mark 10:21-22, Luke 18:22-23). May of the pharisees and other jews hated Him. A lot of them didn’t believe He was the Messiah.
This should comfort us by understanding that even if we teach the truth and are still hated, to not take it personally because of what He said in John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
The world needs the good news, and it has it through Jesus Christ, all everyone has to do is obey His commands.
Meditate on this:
Galatians 6:1-5
6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.
