Sunday, February 10, 2013

John 3:16, 1of7



~ Good News—Bad News ~

the good news:  Every year around the world millions of people celebrate Easter.

the bad news:  Millions of these same people do not fully understand who the risen Christ is and the impact of His bodily resurrection.

the good news:  Many who celebrate Easter wear new clothing.

the bad news:  Many who wear new clothing at Easter do not realize the symbolism of their new appearance in God’s eyes—If they are Christians they are viewed by God as wearing a robe of Christ’s righteousness. “Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness. I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, and go all the way with Him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it” (Philippians 3:8-11, The Message, emphasis added). 

the good news:  After His resurrection Jesus Christ was seen by many individuals on many occasions.  On one such occasion over 500 eyewitnesses saw Him at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).

the bad news:  Many still do not understand that the historical reality of Jesus Christ and His resurrection has more historical proof than any other event in or near the same time period.

the good news:  In “Christian” countries John 3:16 is the best known single verse in the Bible.

the bad news:  The message of John 3:16 has been fully appreciated by only a small fraction of those who can quote the verse.

the good news:  John 3:16 presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ—which has direct relevance to your life today.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is that…
God’s Only Son Perished that you might have Eternal Life!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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