One of the most critical things that every believer or person needs to hear daily in their life is “good news.”   When we think about the bad news that is going on in the world; the economy, dysfunctional families, personal health, good news sometimes seems hard to find. As we look forward to a new year in Christ and 2010, it is important that the foundation by which we build our lives is sure and solid. Over the next three weeks, I will be sharing with you, “The Gospel, God’s Good News.” 

In the book of Romans, Paul comes to us as the “Person of Good News”. Paul who used to be Saul (see Acts 9:1-30) has now become a changed man. He is no longer persecuting Christians; but, proclaiming the “good news” to Christians. Paul’s life, like many of our lives, had to be changed if God was really going to use him for His honor, His glory and His praise. The message that Paul carried and the actions he took were completely different from his former life. Paul’s message may not have been readily received because of his background. For us, who have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light, we now have a responsibility to share God’s good news. So Paul now identifies himself as a person of good news rather than  a persecutor of Christians. 

For many of us, the message that we now carry and the message we will carry into the New Year really needs to be consistent with God’s Word. Our ability to be a person of good news is largely dependent on how committed we are to our relationship with Christ. Paul describes his relationship with Christ in three ways. He says 1) he is a bondservant of Jesus Christ; 2) he was called to be an apostle; 3) he was separated to the gospel of God. 

Let’s first look at Paul as a bond servant of Jesus Christ. For Paul, the relationship with Christ was a servant-master relationship. This relationship was one where Jesus is Lord. We are not our own and because we are not our own we can no longer do what we want to do. We were brought with a price.  Not only can a bond servant not do what he wants to do; but, also he can’t do what others want him to do. Galatians 1:10 says: “For am I seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. “

Not only was Paul a bond servant; but, he was a true apostle of Christ. Many people use this tag; however, when Paul used it. He was an apostle meaning one who had been sent. He was an apostle because he had accompanied Christ (Mark 3:13-19); and he was an apostle because he had be given power for miracles (Matthew 10:1). Many people probably doubted him being an apostle because of his background; however, God can use anyone. Just as he converted Paul for his service, he can convert you.

The third description of Paul was that he was separated (holy) for the gospel (good news).   The gospel is certainly good news and it is what we all need to be spreading. If we ever needed some good news we sure do need it now. I challenge you; don’t talk anything this week, this month or even this year but good news. Say a kind word so someone. Sow a seed of good news into someone today.   Are your words from the Lord? The word from the Lord doesn’t just come from the preacher; is there a Word from the Lord from you today. We must be people of good news and not gossip. We must be people who are positive and not pessimistic. We must be people who have faith and not fear.