"The Gospel is News"
Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News. "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!" (Mark 1:14, 15 NLT)
Tim Keller in his book "King's Cross" points out what Jesus is proclaiming here. The gospel is primarily news. Every world religion says, "Do this & you will reach the ultimate." But what sets Christianity apart is that it's news. It says, "It's already been done." So the Bible & the gospel are not about us & what we must do but about Jesus & what he has done.
The word gospel literally refers to life-changing news. It was used when referring to a battle that was won that purchased a people's freedom or a coronation that would change a nation. So is the coming of the Son of God life-altering news!
Think about it. When we are told we have to do something in order to be right, it is heavy. When we are told, "This is what you must do in order to be saved," there is a weightiness. But Jesus says, "This is what has been done for you. Trust me." Now that changes everything.
The gospel is news. Have we really heard it? Has it changed us?
We cannot do enough to be made right with God. We cannot be good enough. We cannot do enough good things. We can't live right 100% of the time. So we need someone to do it for us. Jesus did. And it's by trusting in him that we really begin to see life as it is!
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