The Gospel is good news because of the resurrection. The gospel isn't just that Jesus died for our sins. That's the first half. The second half is that Jesus rose again, proving once and for all that sin and death were conquered and we can have eternal life.Amen to that. The Good News is that God sent his Only Son to earth to live and to die for our sins. The perfect Savior sent to save us from our sins by living the perfect and sinless life. Then, after living the perfect life, he laid down his life willingly to die for our sins. Willingly he spoke the words, "Not my will, but Your will be done!" Willingly he spoke the words that led Him to the cross and to the grave. The Good News doesn't stop there. It goes all the way from the grave to final victory. The second half of that Good News is that Jesus rose from the grave and proved His great love for us and God's great power over sin and death. The Good News is the full package of Christ's life, death, victory over the grave, resurrection and His second coming.
I don't mean to criticize sincere people, but a lot of good people go to great lengths to avoid the conclusion that Jesus is God. They can accept that He was a good man - even a great man.
Amen to that too. There are too many people, sometimes even well meaning people, who avoid the real conclusion about Christ. By our attitudes and actions- do we agree that Jesus is God. By our words and our thoughts - do we accept and trust that Jesus is God. Some folks have lived their lifetime avoiding the reality that Christ is God.
Yes, Christ was a very good man. In fact, John says he was perfect and without sin. Yes, Christ was an amazing teacher. Even the scribes and Pharisees said that he taught as one having authority - unlike any of the other teachers of the law. Yes, Christ was a great healer. The crowds came with demons, with ailments, paralysis and great hurts and he healed them all. He cast out demons, made the blind to see, healed lepers, and made the crowds say, "he has done all things well." He even did more than had ever been done before - opening the eyes of the blind and healing the lame. Yes, he was compassion. On multiple occasions he was moved with compassion. He had compassion on 4000 and 5000 at one time. Yes, he was a great leader. His followers would become pillars of the faith and turn the world upside down. Yes, he was a great provider. He fed 4000 and 5000. He provided for the needs of great crowds with only a few loaves and fish. Yes, he was a great friend. He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He even raised Lazarus from the dead. Yes, he was very humble. He gave up eternity to take on human flesh and suffer for sinful humanity. He even took off his robe and washed His disciples feet.
I could go on and on about how great a __________ he was. Yes, he was a great lover. He loved us so much that even while we were sinners he gave His life. Even when we were hurling insults and criticisms he forgave us. Yes, he is a great everything. He is the great "I AM!" He is most of all - God!
He is God! He is God!
Jesus is God! Don't lose this in all of the good that he did, all of the things he taught, all of the miracles he performed, all of the leadership he displayed, all of the compassion he gave - Jesus is God! He is our Savior. He is the one who lived, served, suffered, died, and was raised for us. This is the full picture of the Good News. Don't avoid it or delay your decision about it any longer.
I believe that Jesus is the Only Son of God.
I believe that Jesus is God and that He died for my sins.
I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and He has set me free.
God, help me to live the Gospel - the servant life that Christ lived.
God, help me to live the Gospel - the death to my will and surrender to yours.
God, help me to live the Gospel - the resurrection to new life - my true life.
God, help me to live the love that refused to let go,
the power that overcame the grave,
and the abundant life that You have promised!
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