Glad you asked - is Christianity really good news?

Glad you asked - is Christianity really good news?

Surely Christianity is all about rules and regulations?  It can't be good, can it?

Christianity is not about rules, regulations, religion, or rituals but a relationship with God through Jesus.

15 Bible words (and the environment the word is taken from) that show it is momentous good news and worth telling:

1.   Salvation (doctor’s surgery): the good news of a cure for a fatal epidemic.  Salvation is translation of a term meaning healing, wholeness, brought to completion.  Used 100s times through the Bible.

2.   Reconciliation (family home): the good news of a wayward child restored to a loving parent.  (e.g Luke 15; 2Corinthians 5:11-19)

3.   Justification (law court): the good news of a convicted criminal freed because another took their crimes punishment. (e.g Romans 4-5)

4.   Freedom or redemption (slave market): the good news of some enslaved to sin and selfishness released by Jesus to a new life of freedom. (e.g. Ephesians 1)

5.   Forgiveness or propitiation or atonement (temple altar): the good news of the rightful punishment of God willing accepted by another so we can be forgiven of our rebellion and error. (Romans 3:21-26)

6.   Cleansing or expiation or purification (launderette): the good news of cleansing of guilt (at our own sin) and shame (at sin done against us). (e.g Ephesians 5:26; 1John 1:7,9)

7.   Victory (battle field): the good news of an invincible warrior king who is on our side, defeating satan, evil, sin and death. (e.g. 1Corinthians 15:54-57)

8.   Newness (the maternity ward or sculptor’s studio): the good news of new birth and new creation into a new life. (e.g. 2Corinthians 5:17, John 3)

9.   Emulation (older sibling): the good news of an older brother Jesus who shows us how to live. (e.g. Philippians 2:5-8)

10.        Teaching (classroom): the good news of the perfect teacher who teaches how to live – the Bible.  (e.g. 2Timothy 3:16)

11.        Belonging or symbiosis (biology/ body): the good news of a new community to belong to and contribute into – the church. (e.g. Romans 12:5; 1Corinthians 12)

12.        Transformation (the academy or rabbi-student): the good news of power – the Spirit.  To change character (fruit of the Spirit) and give competences (gifts of the Spirit).

13.        Guidance (map & compass): the good news of one to leadership and guidance.  (e.g Titus 2:12)

14.        Purpose (a governed Universe): the good news that all things work to the good of those who love him.  (e.g. Romans 8:28)

15.        Destination (eternity): the good news of a sure and certain future. (e.g. Romans 8:30)