The Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor…heal the brokenhearted… proclaim liberty to the captives…comfort all who mourn…. To give them…. The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV)
When some people give their lives to Christ, they begin an exciting journey, but over time something changes. They begin to believe that to be blessed they need to be good. They become influenced by others’ expectations on them or perhaps incorrect teaching and come to believe that if they sin, God has turned His back on them. That is not the Gospel I read about in the Bible.
The word Gospel means ‘Good News.’ What is this good news? It certainly isn’t “God is unhappy with you!”
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV) talks about the Good News Jesus brings. If you feel broken, have lost hope and you can’t seem to trust again, your new life with Christ empowers you to begin the healing process. If you are held captive by addictions, His hope and love can move you towards true freedom. If you struggle with your finances, He empowers you to believe, use wisdom, prosper and be generous. If you mourn, He comforts you. Even if you mourn the loss of a dream—you do not have the marriage you had hoped for or you are filled with regret about your career— through Him you can come to replace grief with joy!
You come to Christ as messed up as you feel you are and you gain access to unparalleled joy, peace and hope. Never fall for the lie that you have to earn it. Just believe and trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.