Bad News First

There is a beautiful resurgence of emphasis lately on the “Good News” of the Kingdom of God. Which, honestly, is a great thing after so many years of emphasis on escaping the fires of hell and acquiring your holy fire insurance and a lease on the heavenly mansions beyond the clouds.

But I think our newfound emphasis on the  “Good News” of the Kingdom must include a healthy dose of “Bad News” if we’re to be effective.

Here’s what I mean: The Good News of the Kingdom is that everyone has access to the abundant life of Christ right here and now. But the Bad News of the Kingdom is that the cost of admission is high.

 

It costs you everything.

In other words, the price for life in Christ involves death to self. Or, as C.S. Lewis phrased it:

“Nothing in you which has not died will ever be raised from the dead.”

Or, as Jesus puts it:

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." (Luke 14:33)

Whew. Pretty steep if you ask me.

Now, by calling this “Bad News” we’re not being fair, or totally accurate. See, the idea of surrendering everything in this life in order to follow Jesus into His Kingdom only sounds like bad news to those who have yet to take the leap. In other words, once you’ve let go of your worldly treasures you discover an astounding truth – it doesn’t compare to the splendor and majesty found within the Kingdom reality offered by Jesus. In fact, those earthly “treasures” are really pretty worthless and empty, so dumping all that crap out the window isn’t actually all that difficult.

Maybe it’s easier to explain it this way: When you let go of your worries, your fears, your doubts, and your status quo, you get to enjoy the glorious life, love, joy, hope, peace, and contentment found only in Christ, Jesus.

I guess when you put it that way, it’s really not “Bad News” at all, is it?

 

-kg