The Goodness of God

"Everywhere the gospel was preached, people were healed, delivered, and set free. The GOOD MESSAGE came with GOOD RESULTS."

WE’VE MADE THE GOSPEL A NOUN. It’s a place in the Scriptures, a corporate entity. We preach THE GOSPEL and think of it as a collection of stories written in four books which tell of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection. But “the gospel” is not just a noun, it’s a noun with an adjective. The word translated “gospel” means “good message” or “glad tidings.” It is not just a sermon topic, not simply a collection of Scriptures, or a cleverly worded story. It’s a message, a communication of a theme or idea, that is for our GOOD.

Jesus came and preached repentance toward a belief in the gospel. We’ve given the word “repentance” a negative connotation. To repent means to change your way of thinking. It’s admitting you were headed in the wrong direction with your words and actions and asking God for forgiveness with the intent to be different. The reason to repent, the reason to make this change, is belief in the GOOD NEWS Jesus went about preaching.

Went about demonstrating. Because everywhere the gospel was preached, people were healed, delivered, and set free. The GOOD MESSAGE came with GOOD RESULTS.

Jesus went about DOING GOOD and HEALING all those oppressed of the devil (Act 10:38). He was the Word of the Father made flesh who came to earth to proclaim the time had come to close the old chapter and begin the new, the better, the GOODER one. (Indulge me. I’m Southern.) The GOOD TIDINGS were about Him, yes, that He was the Messiah come to earth. But this was GOOD NEWS many of that day could not see. What they COULD SEE were the demonstrations of God’s power which made blind men see, lame men walk, lepers have clean skin, which raised the dead back to life, and changed men and women who were steeped in hell into beautiful smiling faces.

Suddenly, one twisted with demons was sitting, clothed in his right mind. And another who had a blood disorder, in an instant, stopped bleeding. A tax collector who had stolen from his people, changed completely and began to return it four-fold. You have fishermen casting out devils. A man’s withered hand restored to its proper fullness. Lives altered. GOOD CAME.

Jesus went all across Judea and the surrounding area preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God. What was His message? What would He say about the kingdom that caused multitudes to flock to hear Him? GOOD NEWS! God loves you! Be healed! Be set free! Eternal life has come to earth to give you all the benefits of who God is.

He came to die and be resurrected as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but He came to PREACH THE GOODNESS OF GOD, to reveal the Father’s GOOD HEART for the people, and so inspire those who followed Him that, once He had been Resurrected, that GOSPEL would spread around the world. Saving whosoever would come and receive the GOOD NEWS – Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for HE IS GOOD: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalms 107:1)

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you GOOD TIDINGS of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the GOODNESS OF GOD leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com