The Power of the GospelSample

The Gospel Tells Us The Truth

In 2004, M. Night Shyamalan produced a movie called The Village. It revolves around a desolate town in Pennsylvania. The residents live by strict rules: they are never to leave the village, or the monsters who live in the woods beyond their boundaries will surely attack them.

But (spoiler alert!) As the movie unfolds, we learn that there are, in fact, no monsters in the woods. It has actually been the village elders who have been lying about the dangers in the forest to keep the residents from ever leaving.

The elders felt they had a good reason to lie, so they did. They wanted to control the narrative so that, in their view, they could protect the people of the village by keeping them from leaving.

But lies, even with good intentions, never turn out good.

We need to hear the truth.

The Gospel tells us the truth.

“Gospel” means “good news.” We like good news. Tell me there’s a check in the mail. Tell me it’s going to be a mild winter. Tell me I’m getting a promotion at work.

But good news isn’t always pleasant news. Good news is truth.

It may not feel pleasant to find out that you have the early onset of cancer, but it is good because it gives you a chance to fight it.

Good news is news that is meant for our ultimate good.

The greatest good news, the essence of the Gospel, is that Jesus died to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

That statement alone tells me a lot of news!

It tells me that there is something called “sin.”

It tells me that people in sin are called “sinners.”

It tells me that sinners need saving.

It tells me that there is a Saviour.

And it tells me that, while the cost was monumental, a Saviour was willing to count it.

This is good news, indeed!

This week, we will explore the good news of this Gospel.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the good news that You have brought into my life. Help me to live each day with that Gospel as the key informer of how I live and act. May I be the bearer of this good news to everyone I meet. May this good news pervade my home, family, work, and play. Amen.

Reflection: Have you personally experienced the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ? You can know that right now if you confess that you are a sinner, acknowledge that Jesus is the only One who can save you, and receive Him into your heart. And if you do know the Lord Jesus as your Master, how are you sharing that good news with those around you?