There have been debates over what is included in the “good news” from the simple statement that Jesus died and rose again proving that He was God in human form to the more complex ideas involving the holy spirit and the ability to live a Christian life.
While there is much to qualify as good news in the Holy Scriptures, the essential part that qualifies as the “good news” is that we have the assurance of eternal life in heaven as a result of simply receiving the free gift of salvation by faith alone.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
It really is that simple. Everything we read in the scriptures is somehow related to Jesus and the free gift of salvation that cannot be earned, bought, sold, or achieved by living a moral life. Jesus died on the cross and suffered the unfiltered wrath of God against every sin ever committed by human beings. He bore the death that we deserved so that we can live for eternity.
There is more good news that comes as a result of placing our full trust in the merits of Jesus for salvation. For example, there are many blessings to be had by being obedient to the commandments of God. But we must always remember that we must be saved before we can serve, and we do not keep the commandments in order to achieve eternal life. We keep the commandments out of love and gratitude for the free gift that was paid by the blood of Christ.
Jesus loves you and wants you to accept the free gift He offers you. There is nothing you can do except believe and receive the promise of eternal life. Accept Him as you are with all of your faults and imperfections and be amazed at the power of His love.
We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Stephen Beagles (2022)