Good News or Bad News
November 5, 2000
Dear Friends:
Every once and a while, someone will come up and ask you the question, “which do you want first – the good news or the bad news?”
When it comes to things eternal, we all know what the good news is. The Gospel, which means “good news”, is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and is coming again to this earth to resurrect the dead and establish an everlasting Kingdom based on righteousness and justice. We have an opportunity through answering the call of the God to believe in these things and be baptized into the saving name of Jesus Christ.
So if that is the good news, what is the bad news?
The bad news is that mankind is mortal and sinful. The world around us is cursed. The Kingdom of Men is the ruling power of the day. Outside of the comfort provided in the Good News, mankind is hopeless and dying.
Sometimes we find it helpful to focus on the bad news. It is important to understand the state of the world and mankind. Unless we come to terms with the problems, we are not in a position to work on the solution. Anyone who has ever dealt with someone with a drug or alcohol problem knows that in order for that person to receive help, they must first understand and admit they have a problem. Mankind is in a similar situation when it comes to sin.
While understanding the bad news is a vital first step, it can become a detriment if we continue to focus on it. The Bible tells us to “remember Lot’s wife.” She turned around to witness the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, a wicked place which she left, instead of looking onward to the hills which provided her salvation.
Perhaps we can sympathize with Lot’s wife. The destruction of Sodom was interesting and exciting stuff. Our flesh is drawn to such things. Yet, God had told her not to look back. “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” (Gen. 19:17)
The flesh should not be our focus once we have come into Christ. We should focus on the Good News. Too many times we attempt to overcome the flesh by focusing on it rather than things of the spirit. Constant attention to the works of the flesh only plants those thoughts in our heads. Rather, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” (Eph. 5:11-12)
The original question was “do which do you want first – the good news or the bad news?” I want to hear the bad news first. Then, I want to put the bad news behind me in Christ and spend the majority of my time on the Good News.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)
Have a blessed week!
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