Evangelicals Repent

In order to be evangelical, you have to be found wanting. Evangelical comes from euaggelion, which is the good news, the gospel. Evangelicals are gospel believing. That does not mean we like gospel music, but we might. It means that we have a need to speak and hear the good news.

What is the good news, the gospel? Well, in order to hear the good news, we’ve got to be prepared for it. The good news is good news because of the bad news. The bad news is that in Adam, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is no hope of salvation because we sinners stand condemned before a Holy God. Man is undone in His sin.

But God’s Good News is in Jesus Christ. The Father has provided a way for us to Him through His Son. Through Jesus Christ crucified, we have the forgiveness of sins. Repent, therefore, and believe the gospel. What does it mean to be an evangelical? It means we repent of our sins and embrace the good news.

Really Good News

The Shepherds watching over their fields by night were the cast offs of society. The angel appears to them and gives them good news. Mary and Joseph, though now highly esteemed by us, were not even high enough on the social structure to secure a room for a night in a crowded town. But Mary is about to give birth to good news.

         If you are down and out, sad, despised, marginalized, lightly esteemed by others or have a poor view of yourself, guess what, I have really good news for you. Jesus is coming. Jesus has come. He is here. His Words are faithful and true. His Spirit is imparted to you.

You may not be highly esteemed by others, or by yourself, and maybe even for good reason, right? But that does not matter if you are found in Christ. The opinion that matters is the one that Jesus renders and He has really good news for you. Through the remission of sins, He counts you His brother, His sister. His Father is your Father. His Spirit is in you. His joy, and hope and even His glory are lavished on you. That is really good news. 

Then, believe Jesus with joy and thanksgiving.

Thankful

O Lord, our God, who alone is the dispenser of all good things, we acknowledge Your beneficence towards us. You have granted us everlasting life and You have sustained us in this life through Your faithful provision. We thank You for November, and Thanksgiving, a national holiday of Thanksgiving to You, our creator, sustainer, savior, and the preserver of our souls. May gratitude be our key characteristic, for it is Your kindness that is our guide, both in repentance and in our desire to live for You, Who is our good and gracious Father. Amen.