Good News and Bad News
Jesus Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. However, the gospel is both good news and bad news. To those who prefer to live in sin, the gospel of salvation is bad news… it’s the gospel of the condemnation of sin unto death. Most people know John 3:16 about the gift of eternal life through Christ. However, death is not the result of sin, but rather rejection of the Saviour from sin. The context of John 3:16 says that those who prefer the darkness instead of light and sin over righteousness condemn themselves. According to the context of John 3:16, John 3:18-21 says, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
To turn from sin, you must first acknowledge that sin is a problem. ”A parishioner said to the country preacher, “I wish you wouldn’t preach so much about sin, condemnation and hell, but more about the meek, lowly and loving Jesus.” He answered, “Every thing I know about hell fire and damnation, I learned from the meek, lowly and loving Jesus.”
There is an alarming passage in Matthew 7:23 about self deception and following the deception of false prophets. To these people, Jesus will say, “I never knew you.” The context of this verse is in John 7:15-23: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
There are four responses after hearing the gospel message. The first is outright rejection by those who prefer to hide in darkness to conceal their sin.
Many Americans today are in the second category. These people may attend church or have a favorable opinion of Christianity. However they have never had a conversion experience where they turn from their own sinful nature in repentance and to the Lord Jesus Christ. For the most part, our American culture has turned away from God. Even though most Americans no longer consider America a Christian nation, it doesn’t mean that the Word of God isn’t true. An individual’s and a nation’s response to the truth will determine their eternal destiny. Even though they may call good evil and evil good, the word of God is still the standard for truth.
God has called godly Christians to godly marriages to illustrate the relationship between Christ and his church. Just like our attitude toward our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, our attitude toward our wives must be cultivated. When you’re in love, you look at her through “rosy colored glasses.” When you’re in love she can do no wrong. Love covers a multitude of sins. Likewise we must “Keep our hearts with all diligence for out of the heart proceed the issues of life. We must cultivate our love of God and learn to treasure His word.
There are many false prophets who appear to have the same gifts as true shepherds. These false prophets are wolves dressed up like sheep. A false prophet always bears bad fruit. Abraham Lincoln said, “you can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” According to the passage in Matthew, by their fruits you shall know them. God hasn’t called us to be judges. Rather he’s called us to be fruit inspectors. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
This is why the gospel message is both good news and bad news. To those who are called unto salvation, it is the sweet smelling fragrance of life unto life. To those who are perishing, it is the stench of death unto death.
It’s easy to deceive ourselves that we know more than others. To approach the throne of God’s grace we must come to him with a broken and a contrite heart of meekness and humility. The right attitude is to pray that God will send someone into our lives to rebuke and reprove us. The Word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and correction. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly perfected unto all good works. Whom the lord loves, he chastises. To correct is to restore to an upright position.
Peter thought that he could serve Jesus in his own power. However, Jesus knew Peter’s heart. He said, “before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me thrice.” Peter’s heart had to be broken so that God could heal his heart…. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake. He will break our heart for what breaks his…to make our hearts malleable and conformable to his will.
Paul said, I buffet my body to bring it unto submission to my lord. Ye are slaves to whom ye obey: either the lust of the flesh or the spirit of life in Christ. It’s a miracle when a man humbles himself and asks for forgiveness of those he’s wronged and before God.
A heart of humility asks,” Is there anything in my life that you would change if you could?” The second question is. “how can I help you?” This is the servant’s heart of humility and meekness.
Jesus knew what was in the heart of a man. The false prophet in Matthew 7 asked Jesus, “Didn’t we perform miracles and cast out Devils in your name?” Jesus’ response was, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The key to keep thy heart with all diligence is in Psalm 1. According to this Psalm, Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night….and he shall be like a tree that is planted by the rivers of waters that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The question is not “Do I know him,” but rather, “Does he know me.” Jesus said, “my sheep hear my voice and they know me and I know them. They follow me for I give them everlasting life.”
The miracles that the false prophets did were similar to the miracles that Jesus did. Jesus’ miracles, signs and wonders made the false prophets want to kill him because he was stealing their thunder. They wanted to glorify themselves with their mighty works.
Category three is those who respond to the gospel by thinking they’re saved by their own good works. They are works based and not grace based. If you put people under works then you can control them. The subtle message is, you’re condemned if you don’t perform. However the basis of grace is God’s mercy and forgiveness through the price Jesus Christ paid on our behalf at Calvary’s cross. Jesus said, blessed are the pure in heart and blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are the meek, those who acknowledge that their sufficiency and their salvation is only in the Lord.
Category four is those who know that they know that they are saved. The spirit of Christ bears witness with their spirit that they are sons of God. They have accepted the free gift of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the grace of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
Ministry is doing the right thing to please God and not ourselves or others. To enter category four, we must believe that Jesus is Lord and that God has raised him from the dead. Confession unto salvation starts with a broken and a contrite heart of repentance. Repentance means to turn from making myself Lord to making Jesus Lord. It starts with acknowledging “I have found the enemy and he is me.” Living the gospel message is to live to the praise of the glory of His grace for he has made us acceptable in the beloved.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael