The Gospel is Good News, not Good Advice
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son
Romans 1:1-3a
Why do we refer to the gospel as ‘good news’? Beyond the literal meaning of “gospel”—euangeloi—is “good herald.”, there’s a profound distinction between advice and news at the core of Christianity’s uniqueness.
Drawing from a message by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, which Tim Keller once highlighted, we see the difference clearly outlined: Advice is something you do, anticipating an outcome that hasn’t yet occurred. It’s about changing your behavior to achieve something in the future.
News, conversely, tells of something already completed, beyond our ability to influence. It reports an event, leaving us only to respond to this reality.
Consider a kingdom under threat. If the king overcomes the invaders, messengers sprint to the capital with exhilarating news, proclaiming, “The enemy is vanquished! Celebrate the peace won for us.”
But if the king is defeated, military advisors rush back with strategies for the city’s defense, essentially saying, “Prepare for battle! Your survival depends on your actions!”
Tim Keller adeptly pointed out that other religions mirror the role of military advisors, prescribing rituals and rules as a path to salvation. They suggest, “Strive in your spiritual journey, follow these practices, and perhaps you’ll find salvation.”
The Church, however, stands apart. We are the bearers of good news. We announce a victory already achieved. Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death. He reigns supreme as the Son of God and the Lord of all, offering salvation as a free gift.
This proclamation doesn’t leave us passive. Both heralds of good news and military advisors call for a reaction, but the nature of our response is fundamentally different. One is fueled by joy and gratitude, the other by fear and duty.
These responses, though they might initially appear similar – engaging in prayer, pursuing good deeds, and leading a moral life – are motivated by entirely different forces. Fear cultivates guilt, self-righteousness, and spiritual exhaustion. Joy, on the other hand, fosters authentic transformation, love, and a fervent desire to honor our Savior and King.
Furthermore, understanding Jesus as the reigning Lord adds depth to the ‘good news’. It’s not just that He secured eternal life for us through His victory; He also ascends to govern as the rightful Lord of everything. This truth invites us into a life marked not only by salvation but by living under His gracious and sovereign rule.
So, when we hear the gospel, let’s remember: it’s not merely good advice, it’s the ultimate good news. It’s not about what we must do, but about what has been done for us and the majestic reign we are invited into. And indeed, this changes everything.
In what ways have you been living as if the gospel were good advice, relying on your actions for salvation, rather than embracing it as the good news of what Jesus has already accomplished? Think through and talk to Jesus about it.
The ways that I find myself living as if the gospel was “good advice” would primarily be when I do things to be recognized for it, rather than out of sincere gratitude and the joy that comes from the “good news” of the real gospel. I have actually had to set in place some practical guardrails in order to keep from falling right back into distorting the gospel in this way. It can lead me to a reliance upon my own actions, and the recognition of others for said actions, as if my very salvation were contingent upon it. This inevitably leads to frustration, anxiety, and, ultimately, despair. The real gospel message is that Jesus has already accomplished the work and obtained my salvation, regardless of what I do, or of what anyone may think or say about me. When I understand this, there is joy in my life, and an unshakeable hope that permeates throughout all that I do, (or even don’t do😏). Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the salvation that You have obtained for me, and for the life You have invited me into, a life lived “under Your gracious and sovereign rule!”
This is one of my favorite illustrations since it clarifies so well. I will have to remind myself over and over again that my salvation does not really depend on my performance. For example, when I feel like I am worthless because I didn’t do something well; I need to remember that God still loves me regardless.
Lord, keep me grounded in Your grace so that I can be more joyful. Amen.