Have you heard of the “I have some good news and I have some bad news” jokes? They’re funny because after the good news there is some twist by the introduction of the bad news. Here’s a classic:
Doctor: I have some good news and I have some bad news.
Patient: What’s the good news?
Doctor: The good news is the tests you took showed that you have 24 hours to live.
Patient: That’s good news? What’s the bad news?
Doctor: The bad news is I forgot to call you yesterday!
But in reality, that’s the way life can be sometimes . . . a mixture of good news and bad news. We try to count our blessings and then hope for the best as we muddle through the bad.
But did you know the Bible has a good news/bad news proposition for us all? But it’s reversed with the bad news first and then the good news. (I always love it when things end on a good note!) So let me give you the bad news first and the scripture reference for each statement:
1) You are a sinner - (Rom 3:23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2) Sin has consequences - (Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death . . .
Ouch! The bad news can hit you pretty hard. It means we are all sinners bound for a dark eternity. But before you get too depressed remember the good news is coming! And here it is:
1) Christ died for our sins - (Rom 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2) You must receive Him - (Rom 10:9) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Doesn’t the good news make you feel better? Life on earth bound for eternity is no joke. What you do with Jesus is a life or death matter. If you recognize and receive His love for you then you will have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Here is a simple prayer you can pray to receive Christ into your life:
“Dear Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner. I also realize you died on the cross for my sins and rose again to bring me eternal salvation. I ask you to forgive me. I turn from my sins and give my life to you. Give me strength each day to live for you and to spread the good news of Your love to a lost and dying world. In Jesus name I pray . . . Amen.”
If you sincerely prayed that prayer in your heart, then you can be assured that you are now a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ. Welcome to God’s family! Now let me encourage you to keep growing in your relationship with Christ. This comes by reading the Bible and praying and attending a Christ-centered, Bible teaching church. Then come out and let others know about your faith. This will bolster your walk with the Lord and give others the chance to hear the good news and embrace Christ too.
Louie