The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners …   (Isaiah 61:1)
 
But the angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.   (Luke 2:10)
 
Jesus is Good News.  We should always be ready to spread the good news but especially at Christmastime!  I had occasion several years ago to write a summary of the good news of Jesus and what it means to be a Christ-follower for a friend.  I offer it to you, below, and pray that you will experience blessed quietness this Christmas to rehearse before the Lord His gospel message.  Thank Him for it and prepare yourself to give an answer for the hope you have.
 
To become a Christian, you must understand who God is, who you are in comparison to Him, and what He has done for you.
 
Everything you have and are is because of God, not you.  He created your DNA, which determines what your physical body is like.  He orchestrated circumstances, events, and relationships that have shaped who you are.  Every talent and ability you have came from Him.  He created the world you live in.  He supplies the air you breathe and the gravity that keeps you from floating away.  He is the Creator and Sustainer; you are not.
 
Nevertheless, you have not given Him the thanks and homage He deserves.  You have sinned against Him.  When I talk about sin, I’m not really thinking about lying, stealing, sex outside marriage, drunkenness, etc.  Those things are symptoms of a deeper, more fundamental sin – rebellion against God.  You have desired to run your own life, satisfy your own desires, make your own decisions independent of God.  Even though He rightfully sits on the throne as King, you have usurped Him.  Like every other human being, you are intensely self-centered.  You have thought that you are the center of the universe and that you are always right.  You have made yourself God’s enemy.
 
To become a Christian, you need to acknowledge these truths about God and about yourself.  You also need to realize that there is nothing that you, by yourself, can do about it.  You are incapable of removing yourself from the throne and, even if you could, you are incapable of making up for your past rebellion.  You deserve God’s wrath for your rebellion, and you are helpless to avoid it.  You are doomed.
 
This is all bad news!  The good news is that God is so loving and gracious that He has extended His hand to you, His enemy, and made a way for you to come back to Him and be His friend and child.  He not only extended His hand – He came to earth disguised as one of His creatures, lived among us as a human being, and died to absorb the wrath you and I deserve.  His name is Jesus!  His life, death, and resurrection have made it possible for you to be a new creation, one who can respect His place on the throne.
 
If you really believe and accept these truths, the only appropriate response is to live a life of grateful obedience to the One who made you and saved you.  The focus of the Christian life is not adherence to a set of rules but rather ongoing communication with the Lord.  Daily, continually, you speak to Him: Lord, thank You for ….  What should I be doing?  How should I be treating …?   I confess that I ….  Daily, continually, you hear from Him in His Word, through His people, and through the still, small voice that plants ideas and impressions in your mind.  Your strongest desire in life is to know God better, to please Him, to obey and serve Him.  The result is a life of purpose and deep joy.  That is the Christian life.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea