THE BAD NEWS

The word gospel means “good news.” The gospel is in fact the best news in the entire universe. So why in the world would I see the need to write of the “bad news?” The answer is quite simple. None will take seriously the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, that will not first face the bad news. So we must be clear about the bad news.

The bad news is this. Our sin. Not our failures. Not our weaknesses. Not our bad decisions. Our sin. Remember from our last blog that our authority is the Bible, the Word of God. The Bible identifies sin as “Going astray and turning to our own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)

It is important that we understand that sin is not simply what we do or do not do. Rather, sin is a matter of the heart. It is who we are apart from Christ. We are sinners. The human race is a fallen corrupt race. When Adam and Eve sinned against their Creator, this plunged all humanity into sin. Just as an entire river would become polluted and poisoned if the headwaters of the river were sabotaged with pollutants. So every one of us are sinners by nature and by choice. It is our nature to sin, and we do so willingly.

Our sin has brought spiritual death. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12) Elsewhere the Bible describes our condition outside of Christ as “Dead in trespasses and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) Our sin has separated us from God. Thus our great need is not simply to become more moral or religious. We need to be made alive. This new life and forgiveness of sin is found only in Christ. If you have not yet done so, repent of your sin and place your faith in Christ alone for salvation. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13