Something Better

SOMETHING BETTER

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” - 1 Corinthians 13:13

In the past, the advertising business has been guilty of hyperbole in their ads. Often we'd hear phrases like, “new and improved,” and “better than ever.” They would try to gain a share of the market by convincing buyers that their product has improved. Also, they would attempt to show that their product was better than a competitor's version of the same product.

When it comes to issues of faith, the American Church has bought into the consumer mindset, trying to sell Christianity like it is a product. Ministers sound like salesmen, pointing out the positive side of Christianity. Of course, they sidestep issues like trials, persecution and martyrdom. The main defense of the Christianity is its authenticity, something that is not always emphasized. Christianity is true. Its founder is alive. Its message is real and relevant. The real issue when choosing religions is not the popular sales points. The real matter is truth. Which religion, if any, is true? This is really the core issue. On this level, Christianity prevails without a rival.

Yet even within Christianity we tend to emphasize some matters over others. When it comes to Biblical topics, we can be guilty of concentrating on the ones we like and enjoy, while avoiding other topics that can be just as important. 

As followers of Jesus, we tend to emphasize subjects like, “faith,” and “hope,” yet the Apostle Paul wrote, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” 

Faith and hope are both vital in our daily walk. Our salvation came by grace through faith. We are called to walk by faith, not by sight. The Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith.

We also need hope. Biblical hope is more than just wishful thinking. Hope is more than just dreaming. Hope is more than a coping mechanism. Biblical hope is the assurance that God will keep His promise. We have a living hope in a living Lord. Because Jesus is alive, we have a genuine hope of the resurrection. This hope is the foundation of our faith.

Faith, hope and love are all significant components in our journey. Yet Paul makes a distinction between them. According to Paul, there is something better than faith and hope. Love is the greatest of the three. Why is that?

Faith and hope exists within us. Our faith and hope rests in the promises of God. But love is something that exists within God Himself. In fact, while it is true that God has love, the first epistle of John tells us that God is love. Jesus is love personified. Faith and hope are things we have, but love is who He is.

Our faith and hope cause us to love Him and others more. The two greatest commandments are not to have faith or hope, but to love God and others. Love is the natural outcome of Biblical faith and hope. If we claim to have faith and hope, yet exhibit little or no love, something is badly wrong. We are most like our Lord when exercise love.

God is love. He has graciously enabled humans to give, receive and enjoy love. We can enjoy different degrees of affection, based on each relationship. For instance, the love that a man has for a friend is different than the love he has for his children. A man should love his wife with the deepest form of human love, an intimate, sacrificial love. Over and over again, the Scripture points out that marital love is a reflection of the love God has for us.

Love is a more than an emotion. It is a selfless demonstration of care shown for another person. God expects His children to love each other. We should be known for our love.

Let me be clear about something. Love is not a mushy emotion that permits sin and wrong. It is not tolerant of lies. Instead, love causes us to want the best for others. As such, love may cause us to call out the sin or wrong in others. Until they honestly repent, they can never experience God's best for them. Love does not treat sin lightly. In this permissive society, a loving Christian can be called cruel for speaking the truth. Yet any other response is not loving at all.

Faith and hope is vital to our existence. Yet love is even better.

May we never settle for less.

Active Love

ACTIVE LOVE

“Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

If you look up the word, “love,” in the dictionary, you'll find that love is both a noun and a verb. Although we tend to think about what love is, it is important to consider what love does. It is impossible to possess love for a person and keep it bottled up for any length of time. Love tends to reveal itself.

In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul dedicates a chapter of the epistle solely to the subject of love. In chapter 13, verses 4 thru 7, Paul reveals several things about love. In these verses, we find love in action.

Verse 4 says, “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.” Love is patient and kind. The reason that love is patient and kind is because love focuses on the welfare of someone else. We consider their situation. We try to understand their challenges. We do this because we genuinely care.

Also, this verse teaches that love does not envy, boast or is proud. This is because if you love someone, you seek their advancement. You applaud their successes. You appreciate their accomplishments. The focus is on the person you love, not yourself.

Verse 5 teaches us that love, “Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” Paul teaches us that love does not treat others with disrespect or dishonor. Neither does love act selfishly, seeking personal gain. This is in sharp contrast to the world, isn't it? Most people are pursuing selfish goals, driven with personal ambition. They aren't concerned about the devastating affects it has on others. As believers, we are called to live at a higher level than this. Looking back at my past, I must confess that when I've acted selfishly, it hurt others. When I treat others with love, everything changes.

Paul continues his description of love in verse 6, teaching us that love, “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” A loving heart hates sin but loves the truth. It is true that the truth can hurt, but love goes beyond the superficial, temporary results and focuses on the well-being of others. People are hurting today because of sin. Sin is destroying marriages, breaking up homes, leading people to immorality and substance abuse. If we love others, we will hate sin because sin dishonors God and destroys people. On the flip side, if we love others, we will rejoice in the truth. We know that Jesus is the person of truth. We rejoice to hear His Name spoke reverently. We rejoice to share Him with others. We greatly rejoice when a sinner turns to Him and is saved. We love Him because He first loved us. Praise the Lord!

Love is an action word. In verse 7, Paul states the love, “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Love leads us to sacrificial living. God has used many people to make an incredible difference in this world. If you examine the lives of these saints, you'll find a common characteristic: they loved people. They were willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of others. Their faith, endurance and contributions were rooted in the fertile soil of love.

Sometimes I hear saints talk about love, but fail to demonstrate it in a tangible way. Love is more than a feeling or an emotion. It is a divine work in the heart of an individual that causes that person to have genuine concern and compassion for others, leading to outward expressions of mercy and grace.

Look back at our text: “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” We could easily substitute the name, “Jesus,” for “charity,” in this passage. You see everything that these verses teach about love is true of the Lord … because He is love.

Jesus demonstrated love on the grandest scale. His love for us was a sacrificial love. Love is the reason He came to earth. Love is the reason He died on the cross. His love remains the same today. He loves you. He loves me. I am overwhelmed with this truth, aren't you?

Love is more than a word in a song or a feeling felt during a romantic movie. Love is an action word. We can claim to love others, but if this love remains bottled up inside of us, what good is it?

As James wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

That's the kind of love our world needs today!

Loveless Living

 LOVELESS LIVING

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” - 1 Corinthians 13:1

Although most people would never admit it, our fallen nature is very selfish. For the most part, we tend to think only about ourselves. We often have a secret ulterior motive when we show care or concern for others. The most used word in the English language is, “I”. If you were to record all your conversations for one day, when you played them back, you would be astonished at how many times you refer to yourself.

When relationships are destroyed, it can often be traced to the selfishness of one or both parties. When a business veers from a customer-based foundation to a profit-based focus, bad things can occur. That's why we hear of corporations providing false data to investors. Later, we hear how their CEO's have broken numerous laws just to pad the numbers and receive a huge bonus.

Selfishness and love cannot co-exist. One will ultimately dominate, to the demise of the other. There is a price to pay for either. Selfishness produces immediate results, but the long-term cost is enormous. Love usually has a price at the front end, but typically produces long-term dividends. While there is risk involved with both love and selfishness, love is the best of the two --- by far.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, he had to address several problems. The Corinthian church was a mess. Infighting, immorality and doctrinal problems were major issues that Paul had to write about. He also addressed the issue of spiritual gifts. He gave the church practical lessons about the gifts. He paused briefly to point them to something better.

Realizing the importance of spiritual gifts, Paul gave the Corinthian church a powerful message about love. The first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13 reveals something significant that we need as much as the Corinthians. While spiritual gifts are fascinating to study and implement, there was something far greater for Christians to experience.

Paul used some very strong language to stress the importance of Christian love. Basically, Paul wrote that it was better to love others than to employ spiritual gifts. While the Corinthians (and many today) emphasize the value of spiritual gifts, Paul tells us that love is far more valuable. If we implement public and respected spiritual gifts, but fail to have love, we have failed miserably. Notice how Paul phrases this in verses 1 thru 3:

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” In other words, if a Christian doesn't have love, then speaking with tongues is just noise. You don't heard that taught much, do you?

Verse 2 states, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” Two more spiritual gifts are mentioned: prophecy and faith. Yet if a believer does not have love, he is nothing … even if he is actively using these gifts. Strong words, aren't they?

Notice his words in verse 3: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Pious deeds and even martyrdom are worthless if the person does not have love. How much stronger can he be in making his point?

Sadly, most Christians would rather discuss or debate the subject of spiritual gifts than to actually live with love. In fact, spiritual gifts can become a point of pride. At Corinth, pride and selfishness had become a major problem. They were enamored about spiritual gifts … to the neglect of Christian love.

Many tend to gravitate towards mysticism. We like to see supernatural events unfold. We love to hear of miracles. Yet we downplay basic matters like love. What Paul is stating in 1 Corinthians 13 is that our Christian activity needs to anchored in a foundation of love. When you sing in the choir, do so with love for Jesus, love for the other choir members and love for those who listen. When you teach Sunday School, teach with a loving heart. When you serve in any capacity, never lose that first love.

The two greatest commandments are about love … loving God and loving others. While these are the two greatest commandments, they are not commandments that most Christians seem to be focused on. Having titles, talents and spiritual gifts cannot be emphasized to the neglect of loving God and others. In fact, the proper way to serve God and others is to do so with love. Love needs to be the foundation that everything else is built on.

Perhaps we need a revival of love in our churches. Love for the Lord. Love for each other. Love for the lost.

Are you known as a loving follower of Jesus?

A Gospel Worth Dying For

A GOSPEL WORTH DYING FOR

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” - Acts 20:24

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated in front of thousands of young people at a college in Utah. It was a shocking event that rattled our nation. Charlie Kirk was a well-known conservative political activist, known to encourage one-on-one dialog with those who disagreed with him. More importantly, Charlie Kirk was a follower of Jesus. He openly shared his faith and defended the Christian message.

In many ways, Charlie Kirk's death has sparked a spiritual movement in our nation. I was watching an interview that was conducted with Charlie a short time before his death. The very last question that was posed to him was, “How do you want to be remembered?” In hind sight, his answer was very powerful. Charlie Kirk responded, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith.”

Based on his answer to that question, I think Charlie Kirk realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was worth dying for. While many think he was murdered because of his political views, I believe that there was a spiritual component behind his death. Charlie Kirk died for what he believed in.

Is your faith worth dying for? Jesus must have thought so. His death upon the cross and resurrection from the dead is the essence of our faith. If Jesus died to give us eternal life, shouldn't we be willing to die for Him?

The Apostle Paul believed that the Gospel was worth dying for. In Acts 20:24, Paul said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul was willing to die for the Gospel. Here are three things that he did as he spread the Gospel.

REMAIN FEARLESS

First of all, Paul remained fearless. He said, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.” It is difficult for some to understand this, but there are things that are worth dying for. A man should be willing to die for his wife. A mother should be willing to die for her children. Many soldiers risk their lives for the sake of our freedom.

But what about the Gospel? Is it worth dying for? Jim Elliot thought so. He gave his life trying to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador. Elliot is often quoted as saying, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Like Jim Elliot, the Apostle Paul was fearless. He felt that the Gospel was worth dying for.

REMAIN FOCUSED

Paul stayed focused on his purpose. Paul said, “...so that I might finish my course with joy.” Paul wanted to accomplish his mission. Just like a runner, he wanted to finish his race with joy. He was focused on the finish. It was not important WHEN he would his race, but HOW he would finish his race. It's a lesson we need to learn as well. It doesn't matter how long you live, but how you live, that really matters. Like Paul, let's focus on finishing strong.

REMAIN FAITHFUL

Finally, Paul said that he wanted to finish well, “... and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul wanted to be faithful to the end, proclaiming the Gospel. Paul knew that it wasn't his job to make the Gospel appealing. It was his job to make the Gospel available. If faithfulness required him to die for the Gospel, so be it. Historically, we know that Paul gave his life for the Gospel.

What could be more important than the life-changing message of the Gospel? The fate of eternal souls are hanging in the balance. Without Christ, they have no hope of heaven to come.

If you have been changed by the Gospel, you should have a passion to share that message with those who need it most.

We often fail to share the Gospel because we are more concerned about our reputation than our faithfulness. We are more motivated by fear of rejection rather than pleasing God.

We are commanded to spread the Gospel everywhere. Obeying this command may lead to rejection or persecution. It may bring misunderstandings or hostility. Spreading the Gospel may actually lead to martyrdom. Will you obey the Lord and spread the Gospel?

It's a Gospel worth dying for.

A Gospel Worth Living For

 A GOSPEL WORTH LIVING FOR

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:16

The late Leonard Ravenhill once posed the sobering question: "Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?" If we sit and ponder this question while we simultaneously review our lives, we would probably get uncomfortable. Many of the things we live for aren't as important as we make them out to be. Furthermore, we must admit that often give little attention to the things that truly matter most.

Step back and honestly evaluate your life right now. Based on your actions over the past two weeks, what is most important to you? Examine your finances. What do you spend money for? Think about your emotions. What gets you excited?

If most church members were honest, they would have to admit that their actions have little to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They invest very little in evangelistic causes. They rarely, if ever, get excited about the things of God.

Let me point out the obvious. Our affection for the Gospel is a reflection of our love for Jesus. How can a man say that he loves Jesus but is careless about the Gospel? Didn't God send His Son to die for us? Isn't our relationship with God contingent upon the Gospel? Hasn't God invested heavily in the Gospel Himself? The only hope that mankind has is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is true for your family, friends … and yourself.

The Gospel is all about Jesus. Thus, we cannot divorce Jesus from the Gospel. Our devotion for the Gospel mirrors our love and desire for the Lord Himself. Our disdain of the Gospel is a tragic reflection of a deeper, more serious problem. Many people are respectable, even religious, but have never been changed by the Gospel themselves.

The Gospel is worth living for. While there is nothing wrong with sports, we must confess that rooting for our favorite team should pale in comparison to our love for Jesus. Furthermore, our desire to see the Gospel advance should far exceed our desire to see our favorite team advance in the playoffs.

The things that matter most in life, such as family and friends, need the very Gospel that I am writing about. They need Jesus. Without Him, they will die in their sins. This is serious business. It is time we treat it as such.

Truthfully, I find very few people who are passionate about winning souls. Even fewer are interested in missions. Selfishly, we want to go to heaven, but really don't care enough about others to invite them to come, too. Doesn't sound like Christianity, does it?

In Romans 1:16, Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. We shouldn't be either. Paul felt like the Gospel was worth living for. He lived to share the Gospel message with others. Let's consider three things about Paul's statement concerning the Gospel.

First of all, Paul had a passion for the Gospel. He wrote, ““For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” His passion drove him to travel and proclaim the Good News to others. Are you passionate about the Gospel yourself? What excites you? What motivates you every day? For Paul, it was the Gospel.

Secondly, we learn about the power of the Gospel. ““For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation.” There is power in the Gospel. Power to save souls. Power to change lives. No wonder Paul lived for the Gospel. So should we.

Finally, we understand the purpose of the Gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The Gospel is not about getting rich or living the American dream. The Gospel is about the salvation of souls. It has the power to save, “every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Regardless of nationality or ethnic background, the Gospel has the power to save everyone who believes. It isn't restricted to certain classes of people. It saves the rich and the poor. It saves the college graduate and the man who can't read or write. It saves the celebrity and those in obscurity. But the Gospel only saves those who believe.

Paul knew that the Gospel was worth living for. But what about you? Do you love to think about the Gospel? Do you enjoy talking about the Gospel? Are you passionate to share the Gospel with others? Read the four Gospel again and again. Meditate on the glory of the cross. Consider the plight of the lost. Remember how the Gospel changed you. Be consumed with the Gospel today.

The Gospel is worth living for!

The Gospel Really Is Good News

 THE GOSPEL REALLY IS GOOD NEWS

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 5:20-21

What is wrong with Christians these days? Judging by their facial expressions, conduct and conversations, their “religion” seems rather legalistic and joyless. Although Christians know that they should share the Gospel, they don't seem to be convinced that the news is all that good. Rather than a joyous and exciting message of life and hope, they seem to treat it as a message that they don't find compelling to share, because they don't really enjoy it themselves.

That may seem to be a rather cruel assessment of American Christianity, but it is rather accurate. Most Christians act as though they don't find the Good News to be very good. Some drag themselves to church on Sunday, hoping the service will be brief, so they don't have to stay very long. Many rarely go to church at all. During the week, they act just as fearful, anxious and discouraged as unbelievers. Even worse, the behavior of many church members is not much different than the sinful culture they are living in. Even those who seem to be pious don't act like people who've been changed by good news.

Somehow, Christians no longer consider the good news to be very good. Why is that? That message hasn't changed. The Lord is still the same. The reality of the Gospel remains real and relevant. Jesus still saves. Lives are still changed by the message of the Gospel. The promises of Scripture are still thrilling and alive. The Holy Spirit is still active. Heaven is still awaiting believers. Jesus is still coming soon. It isn't the message that has changed. We have.

It has been said that believers need to preach the Gospel to themselves every day. We need to be reminded about sin, judgment, the cross and salvation. We need to think about how life was in sin. We need to recall the glorious moment of salvation. We need to be reminded how precious Jesus is. We need to stay in the Scriptures and bask in the promises of God. We need fresh reminders about God's grace and mercy.

The Gospel really is good news. We need to embrace this. We need to have a time of silence and solitude as we ponder the glorious message of Jesus Christ. We need to revisit the cross and be in awe of the great sacrifice given on our behalf. We need to consider the magnitude of our sins, appreciate the extravagant cost that was paid for our redemption and enjoy fellowship with God once again.

If we truly believe that the Gospel is good news, it should show on our faces. It should be revealed in our conversations. It should be expressed in our conduct. It should transform our character.

Romans 5:20-21 tells us, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” From this passage of Scripture, we learn that the Gospel really is good news.

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.” The law of God reveals to us our sinful condition. The good news is best understood and appreciated when we understand the bad news. Without Christ, we were sinful, guilty and doomed. We had a terminal disease called sin. We had no way to treat or heal this disease. Humanity faced eternal punishment because of sin.

Jesus Christ came to bring the remedy to our situation. On the cross, He paid for our sins so we wouldn't have to pay for them. The Bible says, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” I was a great sinner, but Jesus is a greater Savior. My sins were awful, vile and wicked. His grace was much stronger than my sins. Jesus died and paid for all my sins. He paid my debt in full. By receiving the Lord Jesus, I received His payment in full. Now my account is clear before God.

Furthermore, because of Jesus, I experience life. New life. Eternal life. The Scripture goes on to say, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Through Jesus, I have a better life. Glorious life. Everlasting life.

Do you believe this? If you truly believe this, then act like it. Live like it. Talk like it. Have your attitude and actions shaped by this reality. It is more than just religious talk. If the Gospel is true, then you should never, ever live a drab, dreary and dreadful life. The message of eternal life is good news. It is great news. It is life-changing news. It must begin with your life and mine … then spread to others.

The Gospel really is good news!!!

Good News

 GOOD NEWS

“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” - Proverbs 25:25

News headlines can easily bring fear. Every day events can get us down and discouraged. Health problems can drain us emotionally, as well as physically. Life is not easy and is often unfair.

In spite of all the negativity that we face, it is refreshing to remember that there is good news for mankind. More to the point, this good extends to you and me. It isn't a fairy tale or myth. It is very real and relevant. In fact, this good news trumps all of the bad news that tends to weigh us down. Fact checkers cannot disprove this good news. Although many of them refuse to believe, they cannot bring any facts to support their unbelief.

Proverbs 25:25 says, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” If you have ever been thirsty, you can identify with this proverb. When your mouth is parched and your throat is dry, your body thirsts for soothing water. Cold water quenches a mighty thirst. In a similar manner, good news from a far country refreshes the spirit. Good news tends to awaken our spirit and cause us to rejoice. Good news is like the bright sun that breaks through a cloudy, gloomy sky. Good news is like hearing birds chirping after a storm leaves the area.

The New Testament gives us the ultimate good news. God came to earth, dwelt among men and ultimately died so that men may receive eternal life. The Old Testament predicted this news, but the New Testament reveals how it unfolded. The Old Testament showed us our dire need, but the New Testament provided us the solution to the need.

The New Testament uses the word, “Gospel,” over and over again. The word, “Gospel,” means good news. As followers of Jesus, we are not waiting for good news to come. Good news has already come. Good news has been provided to mankind through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

There's no better way to start a new year than to begin with good news. We don't know what lies ahead this year, but we know that the good news is relevant every year, regardless of the events that will unfold. This good news is the greatest news that we will ever comprehend. Jesus Christ has come. He has died for our sins. He has risen from the dead. Through Him, we have eternal life. That, my friend, is good news. It is great news.

Because of Jesus, death has turned to life. Darkness has given way to light. Hopelessness has passed and hope has arrived. Depression and despair have been replaced with inexpressible joy. That is good news.

Jesus spoke of us in John 10:10, when He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Life has been given to us. Not just life, but abundant life. That is good news!

Here are few things we should consider about the good news. First of all, the good news needs to be experienced personally. I enjoy to hear how someone else has found good fortune, but it is so much better when I am the one who experiences something good. The good news of Jesus Christ needs to be experienced personally. Second-hand religion does not satisfy. Each of us must have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The good news become real and exciting when we experience it personally through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When a person is saved, it is an experience unlike any other. There is rejoicing among the angels when a person repents. Like cool water to a thirsty soul, the good news of Jesus sets a captive free. The Gospel transforms. It is truly good news.

Secondly, the good news needs to be enjoyed continually. We should not allow sin, time, or the mundane rituals of life to drain the joy from our hearts. Joy is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. The good news is just as good now as it was when we first believed. We are just as saved now as the moment when we trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus is just as sweet and wonderful as He has ever been. Don't let the bad news of the world rob you of the joy of knowing the good news of Jesus. All the promises of Scripture are still valid right now. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is still going on. The reality of heaven is just as real and glorious as ever before. The fact that Jesus is returning is still an event we should be looking forward to.

Finally, the good news needs to be expressed verbally. We need to share this good news with others along the way. There are many who are still in the prison of sin, held in chains, awaiting execution for their crimes. We can tell them how the King pardons those who repent & believe. His pardon is free and available right now. The future does not have to remain bleak. Eternity does not have to be dark, lonesome and dreadful. Jesus Christ has come to save sinners. He offers eternal life to those who will believe. As recipients of His grace, we are now commissioned to go and share this good news with those who need it most.

Thank God for this good news!!