THE GOOD NEWS

"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way..."
Isaiah 53:6a (ESV) 

Something went wrong. Instead of living God's way, we chose to go our own way. From the very beginning, people decided they didn't want God to be in charge of their lives.

We all do this. Most of the time, we simply ignore God. We live our lives without thanking Him or asking what He wants. We make our own rules and follow our own desires.

The Bible calls this "sin" – and every person does it. Whether someone is religious or not, we all live as if we're the boss of our own lives.

Look around. Our world is full of people trying to be their own god. Everyone wants things their way. Everyone thinks they know best.

It doesn't work. When we reject God's design for life, we hurt ourselves, damage our relationships, and make a mess of the world around us.

"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."
Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) 

God is a good and just King. He cares too much to let rebellion go unpunished. It matters to Him when we dishonor Him, hurt others, and damage His world.

God won't let this continue forever. A good judge must uphold justice.

We already see God's judgment in our world. Death, disease, and suffering remind us that something is seriously wrong. But there's more coming.

Every person will one day stand before God and give an account for their life. How did you treat the people around you? How did you respond to God's love? Did you live His way or your way?

The sentence will be separation from God forever. Since God is the source of all life and goodness, being cut off from Him means destruction that never ends.

This is the reality we all face. We've all chosen our way over God's way, and we all deserve His judgment.

"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:6 (ESV) 

Here's the amazing part of the story. God loves His world and He loves us. He didn't leave us to face judgment alone. He sent His own Son to rescue us.

Jesus lived the perfect life we should have lived. He never sinned. He always honored His Father. He didn't deserve punishment of any kind.

But Jesus chose to die on a cross. Why would the Son of God do that?

Jesus died in our place. He took the punishment we deserved. He experienced God's judgment so we wouldn't have to. The perfect Son of God died for imperfect people like us.

This wasn't an accident or a tragedy. This was God's plan from the beginning. Jesus willingly gave His life to pay for our rebellion.

We don't deserve this kind of love. But that's exactly what makes it so amazing.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) 

Three days later, God raised Jesus from the dead. Death couldn't hold Him. Jesus defeated the grave and proved that His sacrifice was accepted.

Jesus is now the King of kings and Lord of lords. He has all authority in heaven and on earth. When He returns, Jesus will be the judge of all people.

But here's the incredible news: Jesus offers complete forgiveness to everyone who trusts in Him. The price has been paid. The debt has been cleared. You can start fresh with God.

When you trust in Jesus, God's Spirit comes to live inside you. You become part of God's family. You're no longer an enemy – you're His beloved child.

When Jesus returns, you don't have to fear judgment. You can be confident that you'll be welcomed into His kingdom – not because you're good enough, but because Jesus took your place.

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."
John 3:36 (ESV) 

Every person faces the same choice. You can continue living your own way, ignoring God and making your own rules. Many people choose this path.

The result is God's judgment – both the consequences you experience now and eternal separation from God later.

But there's another way. If God opens your heart to turn to Him, everything changes. When you trust in Jesus as your Savior and King, God forgives you completely.

God wipes your record clean. He welcomes you into His family. He gives you His Spirit and a new life that lasts forever. You're no longer living against God – you're living with Him.

There are only two ways to live.

Continue ignoring God and living by your own rules.

• RESULT: God's judgment now and eternal separation from Him later.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9 (ESV)

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:15 (ESV)

Maybe you don't believe what you've just read.
Perhaps you don't think people are really rebels against God, or that Jesus actually rose from the dead.

If that's you, please don't dismiss this too quickly.
The stakes are too high to walk away without being sure. Read about Jesus for yourself in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Reach out to our church family – we'd love to talk with you.

Simply be honest with God. Tell Him you've been living your own way instead of His way. Ask Him to forgive you because of what Jesus did on the cross.

You could pray something like this:

Dear God,
I know I don't deserve Your love or forgiveness. I've been living my own way instead of Your way. I'm sorry, and I need Your help.

Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me and rise again. I believe He took my punishment so I could be forgiven.

Please forgive me and help me live for You from now on. Amen. 

Put your complete confidence in what Jesus did for you. Don't trust in your good works or religious activities – trust only in Jesus.

This means Jesus is now your King. You're not the boss of your life anymore – He is. This will mean changes in how you live, but God will help you every step of the way.

God will speak to you through the Bible. He'll listen when you pray. His Spirit will live in you and give you power to change. He'll provide other Christians to encourage you.

Keep depending on Jesus alone for your forgiveness. When you mess up (and you will), don't try to earn God's love back – it was never based on your performance.

Jesus paid for all your sins – past, present, and future. You can always come back to Him for forgiveness and help.

Find other Christians who can help you grow. Read the Bible. Pray regularly. Look for ways to serve others and share this good news.

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