“As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:15b)”
How glorious a thought that God has invited us into His mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) through the spoken word of his good news! Perhaps even greater a thought is the actual good news which is what we are called to proclaim to all the nations (16:15).
As God’s people, regardless of our age, stage, or depth of theological knowledge, we have a mission to make disciples of our Lord who continue to make more (Matthew 28:18-20). This great commission as it is called cannot be done without the use of words and it cannot be accomplished without telling of the gospel which is the message of good news to all who believe (Romans 1:16).
Now, this in itself is not news to many of those in church leadership or those who call themselves Christians. In fact, it shouldn’t be news; however, as the Church, it is our call to reflect our actions into what scripture says and if they don’t line up, there must be a re-evaluation of our evangelistic strategy as well as the things we are proclaiming to the communities around us.
The Good News
The gospel is the message that brings about transformation. It tells of God, who from before the foundation of all of our world chose a people who would even though disobey him, would be made Holy through the blood of His Son in which he would send to live the life nobody could live, take the punishment for our disobedience, then die and rise from that death in order to show that death has no power over Him as well as for those who believe in Him.
It is a message that brings about transformation from life to death through God’s power (Ephesians 2:4), makes us new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), and renews our mind in the things of God (Romans 12:1-2).
This message which the Apostle Paul calls “the power of God” (Romans 1:16), is the message we are to share; however, what if, in our daily lives we have begun to share something else?
In the local congregation that I have had the privilege to pastor for almost two years, we just finished a sermon series on the book of James and James like many books in the Bible is bold, challenging, and drives through our cultural norms of today. In another light, James also can also shape the preacher and church to live a life of good morals without realizing the inner heart motivation.
A closer look though at this book as well as the Bible reveals that there is a deeper more redemptive story which centers on God’s good news for sinners who need to be reconciled to a Holy God.
Good Things Do Not Save
In a recent conversation I had with a Christian friend, we began to talk about sharing the gospel and I was delighted to hear that they had been involved in their community as well as at times, inviting non-believers into their house for meals. As the conversation progressed, I asked, “what do you share with them?” and “what do you talk about?”
An unsure and puzzling look appeared and finally they said, “we talk about the weather, sports, and, oh, yes, work.” I continued to gently press forward and asked if they shared the gospel. The answer saddened me as they replied, “I’m not going to force it. They will ask me when they are ready.”
This is a common posture in most evangelical Christian circles in Canada and yet, when the Church looks around, there is a continuing movement of people who are living as well as dying without Christ. Do we need more of a motivation than this?
Good things can lead to the cross and good things can lead to the gospel, but good things do not save; Jesus does. When our whole being believes this and craves this, our words as well as our deeds reflect this.
In your gatherings on Sunday mornings and throughout the week, is there an emphasis on the gospel or is the proclamation of God’s word more about things?
Pastor, do you preach about good things or do you preach about good news?
Disciple, do you share good things or good news?
As people on mission, do we live our lives in a way that demonstrates and exemplified good things or good news?
Jesus says in John 15:4, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Christ follower, remain in Jesus and see the gospel transform your life. Share and proclaim this gospel which is all that Christ is, has done, and is doing right now. Tell of good things, yes; but, don’t stop there, tell of what transforms and see God transform the community around you.
What news are you primarily sharing with your life?
–> Join the online community, ask questions, and get answers from seasoned practitioners.
–> Check out some of our other relevant resources:
Related Content
Becoming fluent in the gospel happens the same way—after believing it, we have to intentionally…
Video 1 in the series. A 10-week training on gospel, community, and mission, designed to…
