Have You Got Any Good News?

Do you want the good news first? or the bad news? In our sixteen+ years of marriage, we've asked each other that question countless times. We both respond the same: bad news, then the good news. I have never been disappointed. Meaning, the bad news has never outweighed or overshadowed the good news. Probably because I am usually grateful there's some good news to be had. 

In his book, Dangerous Jesus, Kevin "KB" Burgess talks about the good news of the Gospel:

Good news is only good news if it compensates for the bad news.

Read that again. So often during this season, we focus on the Babe, the miracle, the manger. We dream of --whether we actually take the time to create them or not is different --we dream of quiet nights by the fire, stillness and peace. We --at least for the first few days --sing along joyously to Christmas carols. We spend the weeks between Thanksgiving and the new year frolicking with friends and family, planning and "present-ing", decking and dining. Aaah, Christmas. Mid-January finds us longing for vacation and scratching our brows over the stack of bills come due. Did those few weeks of lights and laughter compensate for the reality of life on Earth?

Well, the good news is that the Good News we celebrate on Christmas, the birth of a King, the Incarnation of God, the Advent of our Savior is for all eternity! More than a few weeks at the end of the calendar. The Good News is eternal life has been made available to all who were destined for eternal separation, to all who would choose to worship and serve the Giver of eternal life! And the Good News is eternal life is more than just heaven! John 17:3 says, [T]his is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Eternal life is knowing God through His Son, Jesus Christ whose coming to Earth we mark during the Christmas holiday. Immanuel, God with us, among us, in human form, fully man and fully God. Yes, heaven is included, but that's not a thorough definition. There's more! And that's some seriously good news! 

Does it compensate for the bad news, though? You betcha! He accepted as His own the punishment due us (1 John 2:2; 4:10), took our sin on Himself, and gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, by His grace, we are forgiven and redeemed from our old master, sin and death (Ephesians 1:7), given the power and privilege of living unto righteousness (1 Peter 2:21-24). Salvation (Ephesians 2:8) and a blessed relationship with Him (Romans 5:1-5; Ephesians 1; James 4:6-10) is His gift to us --eternally!

So, do you want the good news first? or the bad news? If you are in Christ, you can take it however it comes; the bad news will never outweigh or overshadow the Good News of the Gospel, God with us eternally.