SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

A Response to "Share the Good News"

The Urgency of the Gospel

The apostle Paul was driven by a singular, consuming passion: to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. He declared in Romans 1:15 that he was ready, to the fullest extent of his ability, to come to Rome to preach God's Good News. This was not a casual interest or a part-time hobby; it was the very purpose of his existence. He owed a great debt to everyone—to the educated and the uneducated, to the civilized and the uncivilized alike. He understood that the gospel was not a message for a select few but for all people, regardless of their background, status, or culture. And he was ready to pay that debt, to fulfill that obligation, by proclaiming the Good News wherever he went.

What Is the Good News?

The Good News is not a vague religious sentiment or a collection of moral teachings. It is a specific message about a specific person. Romans 1:2-4 tells us that this Good News was promised long ago by God's prophets in the Old Testament. It is the Good News about His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who came as a human baby, born into King David's royal family line. And by being raised from the dead, He was proved to be the mighty Son of God, with the holy nature of God Himself. The Good News is that God has acted in history to save His people. He sent His Son to live a perfect life, to die a sacrificial death, and to rise again in victory. Through Jesus, we can be forgiven, reconciled to God, and given eternal life. This is the message that Paul was not ashamed to proclaim.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Paul declared, "I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ." In a world that despised the cross, in a culture that ridiculed the message of a crucified Savior, Paul stood firm. He was not intimidated by the opposition, embarrassed by the simplicity of the message, or tempted to water it down. Why? Because he understood that the gospel is God's powerful method of bringing all who believe it to salvation. It is not a weak message; it is the power of God. It is not a human invention; it is divine revelation. It is not a temporary solution; it is eternal salvation. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. And that truth made Paul bold, unashamed, and unstoppable.

The Purpose of the Good News

What is the purpose of the Good News? Romans 1:5 tells us that through Christ, all the kindness of God has been poured out upon undeserving sinners. And now, God is sending us out around the world to tell all people everywhere the great things God has done for them, so that they, too, will believe and obey Him. The purpose of the gospel is not just our personal salvation; it is the spread of God's glory to all nations. We are not saved just to sit; we are saved to send. We are not blessed just to bask; we are blessed to be a blessing. The gospel is a message that must be shared, a treasure that must be given away, a light that must be placed on a stand for all to see. The purpose of the Good News is that all people everywhere would hear, believe, and obey.

Are We Sharing the Good News?

This raises a searching question: Are we sharing the Good News? Or are we sharing some other gospel? The apostle Paul warned that there are those who preach another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel. There are messages that sound religious but are not the true gospel. There are teachings that emphasize prosperity without repentance, success without sacrifice, and blessing without obedience. There are messages that make people feel good but do not save. There are gospels that are man-centered rather than God-centered, that focus on what we can get rather than what God has done. Are we guilty of sharing a diluted, distorted, or diminished version of the Good News? Or are we proclaiming the full, unashamed, powerful gospel of Jesus Christ?

The Method of the Gospel

God's powerful method is simple but profound: faith. The gospel tells us that God makes us right in His sight when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. It is not by works, not by rituals, not by human effort. It is by trusting in what Christ has done for us. This is the message that Paul preached. This is the message that the early church proclaimed. This is the message that changed the world. And this is the message that we are called to share. It is not complicated. It is not obscure. It is not for the elite. It is for everyone who will believe.

The Debt We Owe

Paul understood that he owed a debt to everyone—to the educated and the uneducated, to the civilized and the uncivilized alike. He had received the gospel freely, and he was obligated to share it freely. The same is true for us. We have received the greatest gift imaginable—the forgiveness of sins, the hope of eternal life, the presence of the Holy Spirit. We owe it to others to share this gift. We cannot keep it to ourselves. We cannot hoard it. We cannot assume that someone else will do it. The debt is ours to pay. The obligation is ours to fulfill. And the time to pay it is now.

Final Reflection

The Good News is not just a message; it is a commission. It is not just a belief; it is a responsibility. We are called to share it with all people everywhere, so that they too may believe and obey. Do not be ashamed of the gospel. Do not be silent. Do not be passive. Be like Paul—ready, willing, and eager to proclaim the Good News to everyone you meet. The world is waiting. The harvest is ready. And the message is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Prayer for Boldness to Share

Lord, give me the boldness of Paul to share the Good News without shame. Help me to understand the urgency of the message and the debt I owe to those who have not heard. Let me not be distracted by lesser things or silenced by fear. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and give me the words to speak. Use me to bring others to faith in Jesus Christ. I am ready to preach Your Good News. Send me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.