The Good News From A Witness

“Only eternity will truly tell the wisest decision we
made for following JESUS in this life.”

Last June I wrote a blog about Love in Action Christian Outreach, a program in the Philippines, and Maria Elena Escasiñas, who shares the story on at least two Facebook pages. Today’s quote comes from a posting she made and should give us pause for reflection.

Both of us hold to the faith in Jesus, the Messiah promised by the eternal God, that He has plans for our lives and that our souls are eternal. We believe that upon our earthly death, we will continue to live with, and serve, Him.  We believe this because the Bible tells us so, and we’ve seen His love in other people.

The Bible also tells us there is but one revelation of good news to mankind:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8 KJV)

Therefore, I write only of the gospel of the Bible.  Paul feared that others would come preaching a different set of good news:

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 KJV)

The gospel, the good news, is the center of the New Testament. Ninety-eight verses refer to that word. Many out of Christ’s mouth.  He knew the good news would cover the whole world:

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. (Mark 14:9 KJV)

Those who do not believe are condemned by their own unbelief, nothing else:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

They say we’re wrong. ‘Lena is right – only eternity will confirm whether the choice we’ve made to follow the word of God as we see it is correct.  Our faith in His grace tells us now that it is.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Written by a man who saw Him following His resurrection and who also put God’s love into Christian action.