THE SAD AND GLAD NEWS
We often hear people say, “No two people are alike”, and in a sense that is true. But, it also can be said that, by nature all people are alike. We all descended from Adam and have the same sinful nature. Of all men, “there is no difference”(Rom. 3:22), “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Whether you trace your ancestry back to faithful Abraham or Nimrod the rebel, there is no difference. We are all sinful and unfit for the kingdom of God. Your family tree might be that of royalty or rogues, you are a rebel against the King of kings until you claim Christ as your Lord and Savior. Whether you are a bum or a banker, without Christ you are spiritually bankrupt. Black or white, bond or free, rich or poor, learned or illiterate we’re all in the same boat by nature, and it’s sinking. That’s the bad news!
The good news is that, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:16). It is good news that, “Jesus. . . by the grace of God should taste death for every man”(Heb. 2:9); “. . .”he died for all”. . (2 Cor. 5:15), that we who are unrighteous “might be made the righteousness of God in him.”(2 Cor. 5:21), That is good news indeed— it is glorious! We have hope —but only in Him!
Jesus made salvation available for everyone, so anyone could be saved. Now “. . whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Rom. 10:13). God has provided everything everyone needs for anyone to be saved. All we have to do is “believe” to receive. It is easy for us because it was hard for Him. We can be saved because He was sacrificed. He died that we might live.
The sad news is there is none righteous, no not one. The glad news is, there is One righteous, yes just one. He who is righteous died for the unrighteous. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”(2 Cor. 5:21). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. . “Acts17:31.- HDS, 4-4-14
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
