When is good news – bad news?

15/02/2019

When is good news -- bad news?

This is today's question

You might be tempted to give an off-the-cuff reply and say -- When it is a LIE.

And you probably would be right.

IN MY MAIL-BOX

Over the years, I have received several letters from a solicitor in Spain advising that a wealthy lady with the same surname as mine had tragically been killed in an accident. Furthermore, I am the only living relative and I am to contact his office because I stand to inherit some $14,000,000.00.

This is tragic for the lady -- but a windfall for me.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Should I cry because her life was taken, or be joyous for the great inheritance I will receive?

Probably in truth -- she was not killed (probably -- she had never even lived), SO DON'T BE SAD.

And probably -- I won't inherit.

IN CHURCH

In a church meeting recently, the wife of the volunteer minister said, "At the end of the millennium, the number of people who will be lost will number fewer than the fingers on one hand." See held up her open hand. This is good news.

She made the statement with great joy.

Fewer than five!

This is in marked contrast to the words of Scripture. Revelation 20:8 reads: 'In number they are like the sand on the seashore.'

Revelation 20:7, 8
When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison, and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth -- Gog and Magog -- and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.

If just five people or less are lost -- then Rev 20:8 is a gross overstatement.

In Matthew 7, Jesus' words also contradict the woman's claim.

Jesus said, "Broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

Matt 7:13, 14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

In Matthew 7, (immediately after this statement) come these words of Jesus.

Matt 7:15
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing."

Not everything we hear is true. Not everything people say is true. Many contradictions, many falsehoods come -- from the world -- and -- from the church.

Carefully follow Jesus' advice and be on guard against falsehood.

In the age in which we live -- fake news has become -- ALTERNATIVE TRUTH. Who today knows which lie is truth? Or which truth is a lie?

BUT REMEMBER

Good news is only good news -- if the good news is true.

SO -- WHAT ABOUT TRUTH?

THE GOSPEL

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28

The Gospel is good news. God loves you. Accept his love.

John 3:16, 17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

There is SALVATION -- RIGHT NOW

This is good news -- but be on your guard to sort the wheat from the chaff.

The gospel is literally 'good news.' Salvation is available today -- don't put off your commitment until the end of history because someone holds out a 'false hope' to you. Make your commitment now -- when Jesus calls you.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GOOD NEWS