What is the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Hallowed is Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
This coming and much needed Kingdom on earth, led by God’s tested, approved, and beloved son, Jesus Christ, will consist of people who have been “justified by faith,” “having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Romans 1:5; 5:1, 2; Philippians 1:11)
God will dwell in them and they will be His, for it is written, “indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of Yahweh.” (Numbers 14:21)
God’s purpose is to fill this earth with people who willingly manifest His glory, that is, His character of “lovingkindness and truth” in perfect completeness, sharing God’s undying divine nature. (2 Peter 1:1-11)
But there’s a problem which must first be dealt with – SIN; our nature of evil, rebellious, self-centeredness which leads to death – certainly not glorious. The only way to defeat “this body of death” is to destroy that which has the power of death – sin –“and sin is lawlessness.” (Romans 7:14-25: 1 Corinthians 15:56, 57; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:4-10)
But who could possibly deliver us if “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”? (Romans 3:23)
For THIS reason also, God highly exalted him… (Philippians 2:8-11)
God, through His Holy Spirit, caused Jesus to be “born of a woman” (Luke 1:26-38; Galatians 4:4) in order that Jesus might have the same nature as those he came to save (Hebrews 2). In our case this nature produces in us thoughts and actions of immorality, murder, envy, stealing, lying, and other evil deeds (Galatians 5:19-21). But though Jesus also came “in the flesh” (1 John 4:1-6; Romans 8:1-4), nevertheless, by the Spirit and in a love for his Heavenly Father’s Word and purpose for mankind, striving against all temptations, Jesus never once gave in to the flesh’s evil, selfish, ungodly impulses, even up to his agonizing death on a torturous cross (Philippians 2:8-11; 1 Peter 2:21-25). And that’s the victory he won! “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Since Jesus committed no sin by manifesting God’s glory in his own flesh, living out the divine principle of suffering before glory, fulfilling God’s original purpose with His creation, therefore, “God raised him up again, putting an end to the birth pains of death, since it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:24; Romans 1:1-5) By raising him from the dead, God furnished proof to all that Jesus is “the Way, and the Truth, and the Life”, as Jesus became “the firstborn of many brethren.” (Numbers 14:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 17:31; John 14:6; Romans 8)
What About Us?
Since we, by nature, have not rendered perfect obedience to God, does that mean that we are without hope? No, for whoever truly believes in their heart this gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, then God his father, “the Father of mercies,” graciously accounts that person’s faith as “righteousness” and freely forgives the sins of those who then:
- Enter into a covenant relationship with Him through faith by baptism “into Christ” and therefore like Christ, turn “from dead works to serve the living God” (Acts 2:36-41; Romans 6:10, 11; Hebrews 6:1, 2; 9:14; Galatians 3:26, 27)
- Participate in fellowship with others in His son Jesus’ victory over sin (atonement) in “the obedience of faith” and “walking in the Light” (John 8:12; Acts 2:42-47; 1 John 1:7; Romans 1:5; 8:12-17; Ephesians 5:1-21)
There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1, 2)
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8, 9)
This is how by faith in the mercy, grace and truth of God we can receive the “Good News” (called the Gospel) and participate in God’s coming reign on earth through Jesus Christ, for “The humble…shall inherit the earth” in the resurrection “on the last day.” (Matthew 5:5; John 15:12-17; John 6:40)
He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe shall be condemned. (Mark 16:16)