The Bible is a message of Good news for all people!

The Good News [the ‘Gospel’] of the Bible is a two-fold message. This message is first, one of Bad News, and second, one of immensely Good News!

The Bad News is a detailed description of coming judgment upon all people on earth, because of their rebellion against their Creator. The Good News is a detailed description of God’s Love and Redemption, and His full pardon and forgiveness, offered to all people on earth.

This offer is made to all who choose to receive His pardon and forgiveness, and who turn from their rebellion — and includes full citizenship in God’s kingdom!

We all want to hear details of the Good News! But in order to appreciate just how good the Good News is, we must first see what the Bible tells us of the Bad News.

The Bad News

“All we like sheep have gone astray [wandered away from obedience to His Words in the Bible]; we have turned every one to his own way [we have abandoned walking in His Way of obedience, and have turned to walking in our own way, by committing sins, being disobedient to His Words in the Bible]…” (Isaiah 53:6a)

” …all have sinned [transgressed the law], and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23; 1John 3:4)

The above passage tells us that we are all guilty of sin. We are all guilty of rebellion against our Creator. There is no one who is exempt from this charge. Here is the result of our sin:

“…every man shall die for his own sin.” (2Chronicles 25:4b)

“…the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4b)

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die…” (Ezekiel 18:20a)

“For the wages[payment, reward, recompense] of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a)

Because of our sins, we have been found guilty, and are all under a sentence of death. We all are lost, perished, and are faced with eternal separation from our Creator, because of our sin and rebellion.

There is a ‘payment due’ for our sins: death.

There is some Good News, however, that can change the Bad News into Good News, for those who truly believe!

The Good News

Now for the Good News:

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. (Psalms 119:176a)

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD [Yahuweh] hath laid on him [Messiah Yahushua] the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Surely he [Messiah Yahushua] hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he [Messiah Yahushua] was wounded for our transgressions, he [Messiah Yahushua] was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him [Messiah Yahushua] and with his [Messiah Yahushua’s] stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son [Messiah Yahushua], that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:16-19)

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth [remains] on him. (John 3:36)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me [Messiah Yahushua] hath everlasting life. (John 6:47)

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I [Messiah Yahushua] am he, ye shall die in your sins. 25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning…. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:24-25, 29-32)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel [Good News] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ [Messiah Yahushua] died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1Corinthians 15:1-4)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)

In the above passages, we see a story being told. We have all gone astray, but because He loves us, Yahuweh has decided to ‘seek for’ us. According to His plan, He has laid our iniquities upon His own Son [Messiah Yahushua], and has offered forgiveness to us, because of the Blood shed in the death of His Son. He then offers eternal life to all who would believe on Him, and upon His Son, to all who would receive His gift of redemption and salvation.

We also see that Yahushua [Jesus] has paid for us [redeemed us] by paying the required ‘payment due’ for our sin. The price He paid for us was His own death, and the shedding of His own blood. Because of His death, burial, and resurrection, we can now look upon Him, and be made whole. Because of the shedding of His blood, we have been redeemed [bought with a price], and we can now be forgiven of all our past sins. This forgiveness results in everlasting [eternal] life.

His Eternal Life

If we believe on Yahushua (John 3:36), and upon His Father who sent Him (John 5:24), we will receive His life, which is everlasting, or eternal. Let’s see why this is true.

First, let’s notice the following verses:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36)

In the above verses, we see that Yahushua [Jesus] was called the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. What does this mean?

Throughout Scripture, we learn that the only acceptable payment for sin is the blood of a perfect lamb, one without any blemish. This blood sacrifice was required every year, in order to remove the sins from the people, so that they could avoid coming under Yahuweh’s punishment for their sin.

Yahushua [Jesus] was called the Lamb of God, the Lamb-sacrifice sent from Yahuweh, because He was without blemish [without sin]. Yahuweh’s plan was that by Yahushua’s death, the shedding of His blood would become the sacrifical payment acceptable to the Father [Yahuweh], that could remove the sins of the people.

After Yahushua died, Father resurrected Him from the dead, and He came to life again. Because of His resurrection, Yahushua has become the eternal Lamb sacrifice for us, and the Blood He has shed on our behalf has now become the eternal blood of the New Covenant (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 13:20).

So we see in Scripture that Yahushua [Jesus] is the Lamb, and His blood gives us forgiveness of sins. But is it only by His Blood that we can be forgiven, and attain righteousness? Is believing in Yahushua the only way we can approach the Creator [Yahuweh]? Let’s see what He tells us:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

In the above verse, we are told that Yahushua [Jesus] is ‘the’ Way — the only Way to the Father. No man can approach the Father except through Yahushua. He then goes on to show us the only acceptable means of righteousness by which we must be saved.

His Righteousness

We might ask, “But is there any good thing we may do to earn our way to the Father?” Let’s notice what else He has told us in Scripture:

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost…” (Titus 3:5)

“…by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8)

“…And almost all things are by the law [according to the Scriptures] purged [cleansed] with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [no forgiveness of sins].” (Hebrews 9:22)

In the above passages, we see that no matter how good we are, we can not come to him on our own, or by our being ‘good.’ Our righteousness is not acceptable to Him, no matter how great we think it might be. Only His righteousness is sufficient. Only His righteousness, which He plants as a seed into our heart, is acceptable to Him.

Thus it is His righteousness that He plants within us, by His own mercy and grace, that becomes the only means by which we can be saved, through the faith He also gives us. According to the Scriptures, it is only by the shedding of Blood of an acceptable sacrifice that we are cleansed and forgiven of our sins. Thus we see that ‘good works’ play no part whatsoever in the forgiveness of sins, nor of redemption, nor of the planting of the Seed of Righteousness into our hearts.

Now let’s notice the following promises He has made:

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For the wages [payment, reward, recompense] of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace…” (Ephesians 1:7)

In the above verses, we are told that Yahushua [Jesus] has paid with His blood the ‘payment due’ for our sin, to redeem us from the power of sin, and to forgive us of our sins. We also see in these verses that Yahushua also offers to release us from the death-penalty, and offers His resurrection and eternal life, to every one who believes on Him.

So the question is, “How do we ‘believe’ on Him?” “How can we make His forgiveness effective and personal for us?”

Let’s see what the Scriptures say:

The LORD [Yahuweh] is nigh [near] unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. (Psalms 145:18)

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted

“…whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

“…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

In the above verses, we are told that whoever cries out in truth to Yahuweh shall be saved. If we believe Yahushua paid the ‘payment due’ for us, and that He was resurrected from the dead, we need only speak [“with the mouth”] the words to Yahuweh, to tell Him that we believe Yahushua died for ‘my’ sins, and to ask Him to save us.

We need to be in agreement with Yahuweh, by humbling ourselves, to call upon Him in truth. This means we must admit the truth about ourselves. Like the example of the publican in the verse above, we must admit that we have sinned, and that we need Yahuweh’s mercy and forgiveness.

Talking to our Heavenly Father needs to be from a true and sincere heart. Here is an example of what we might say to Him:

His Sons and Daughters

Those who believe on Him, and who receive Him in sincerity and Truth, become His sons and daughters. As sons and daughters, we are invited to fellowship with Him, to live with Him, and to share His life with Him. Notice the following verses:

“…as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name…” (John 1:12)

The above passage tells us as many as receive Him, may now become His sons and daughters.

“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.” (2Corinthians 5:21)

In the above passage, He tells us that because our sin fell upon Him, He has given us His righteousness in exchange for our sin.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

In the above verse, we see that He not only has forgiven us, but He wants our fellowship and friendship. He wants to be at home with us, and live within us.

“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:9-10)

In the above passage, He reveals to us that He desires much more of us than our initial cleansing by His Blood. He desires to share His life with us — an on-going, daily walk with Him. After He cleanses us of our sin and filthiness, He then wants to fill us with His spirit — to live His life in us, and to walk with us, as we allow Him to turn our feet to obedience to His Word. But how is this to be accomplished? How can we walk in obedience?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17)

“…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

In the above passage, we see two things. First, He tells us that we become a new ‘creation,’ and just as a newborn babe, we start out with a clean slate. All things have become new.

Next, we then see that He calls us to repent [turn, and walk in another direction], that is, to begin to walk in obedience to His Word, to be baptised in water, and to receive His gift to us, His Holy Spirit.

Let’s look further at this new walk of obedience.

The New Walk of Obedience

Here are two things He tells us to do:

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

In the above verse, He tells us we are to begin our obedience by being baptised in water [literally ‘completely immersed] in water. We are then told:

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18)

In the above passages we see that we are to ask Father to give us His Holy Spirit. This is one way by which we may be baptised [filled] with the Holy Spirit. His Spirit is simply His presence within us, to strengthen and encourage us.

How do we become filled with the Holy Spirit?

From this point onward, we ‘grow’ in our new life with Him, by reading the Scriptures daily, to learn what Father has done for us. We might begin by reading the Bible, beginning with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts.

Also read in the Bible the Psalms and Proverbs, one chapter each day, as spiritual ‘vitamins.’

Ask Father to place you among others, who truly believe in Him! Watch out for His enemies-in-disguise, who would discourage, and even deceive you! There are many that would try to shipwreck us on our journey to the Father. Ask Father to protect you, and He will do so!

Thank Him often for His goodness to us! And tell others of the Good News — pass it on!