“… For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” (1 Thessalonian 1:8, ESV))
Everyone likes to hear good news! Whether it’s about upcoming weather forecasts, personal business, relationships, sports, work and of course, family! Perhaps in our occupation with this life kind-of-things we forget or fail to remember the greatest good news of all … the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ!
In one of Paul’s inspired letters to a group of new Christians meeting in Thessalonica, are found some most encouraging and uplifting words about the effects of the “good news” in their own lives as well as upon the lives of others.
You see … that’s how it works! Good news travels fast! The apostle Paul was so pleased to see because His Lord could see … enthusiasm for the sharing of the “good news” by these brethren. God will always be pleased when as His people we are ‘ringing out the message’ of truth and salvation!
- The message of “good news” rings out the fact that we who are lost in sin can be separated from those sins by the hearing, believing, confessing, repenting and being “buried with Christ” in baptism!
- The message of “good news” rings out that through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ we are restored to the relationship with God that He has always intended for us to have!
- The message of “good news” rings out that we can be united with others who share the same hope, Savior and Lord and who are also longing for greater knowledge of God, His Son, the Holy Spirit and the completed inspired Word!
- When the message of “good news” is preached in its simplicity and truth … the saints are strengthened, encouraged to do better and motivated to share this message with anyone and everyone who will listen!
As I was given the golden opportunity to preach the gospel recently with the Platte City Church of Christ just outside Kansas City, Mo … I was permitted to see so many friends and brethren from my past … to see older Christians still striving to do God’s will … and to see younger Christians stepping up to take on the mantel of working in the Kingdom and doing their part to “ring out the message!”
In the words of the apostle Paul written to another congregation, “For they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.” (1 Corinthians 16:18, ESV)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, wherever you are … wherever you live … look around! So many who are lost in sin … so many who once tasted of the Lord’s goodness and have for any number of reasons left their faith … so many who have just simply become discouraged and in need of a hope lift! We need to “ring the message out!”
How perceptive of our Lord when “… He said to His disciples, ‘the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38).
Will you be one who will ‘ring out’ the message of saving truth to those around you? You can … you know!
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
PS: How you doing on your daily Bible reading and meditation?
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