Good News

The bible is a story (an account) of the relationship between man and God. In it, God reveals himself and also reveals who we are as people. You can tell a lot about a person by how they relate to others. In the Holy Scriptures we see the relationship between God and man played out: man ignoring God and choosing his own way and God constantly reaching out to man, pursuing him through the ages of history.

From the very first call to a mankind who was heading down the road of self-reliance and sinful autonomy, we hear God calling, "Adam, where are you?"¹ And he still calls today. And still, he is largely ignored in the day to day of many lives and over the span of this short existence. For many, God is seldom given a thought.

But enter the Gospel - a light shining in the darkness of broken relationship.²

The Word becomes a man.³ When we couldn't care less, God sends his own Son into our weakness, rebellion, and sin.⁴ What kind of King does that? In what world does royalty step so low? Justice has been redefined by love. It says, give all to the one who deserves nothing; show mercy to the one who deserves judgement. The one who existed in the form of God left his glory to serve and to save those who had fallen so far and so deep - to save you and I.⁵

While we can be quick to throw up our hands in exasperation, holding back on total commitment to those who have failed or offended us, he comes closer to us in our failings and always is extending his hand in mercy. Why? Because the price has been paid, victory over death has been won, and now he has but one desire - for us to be with him forever. He paid that much - lifeblood shed on a Roman cross - because he loved you that much.

The Gospel says a lot about the Savior and who he is. He died for those who ignored him. He lived for those who blamed him. He gave it all for his wayward creation. There is only one question that remains: if you haven't, how will you now respond to this Savior?

For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.⁶

Will you receive the one who gave so much to be with you?

References

¹ Genesis 3:9 - But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

² John 1:4 - In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

³ John 1:4,14 - In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

⁴ Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁵ Philippians 2:6-7 - Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

⁶ 2 Corinthians 6:2