"Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel 2 timothy 1:10.
If we hear
insignificant news we will probably forget it. But if it is both important and
very good, it causes rejoicing. The angel of the Lord said, "I bring you
good tidings of great joy" Luke 2:10. It has to be great joy because it is
all joy; the Lord Christ has brought news of such fullness that He left nothing
for anyone else to add. If you think something might be missing from the Gospel
you must look higher than God, for He gives Himself through Christ to believers
in the covenant of grace. We are fully persuaded the apostle Paul's argument
will hold: "All things are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is
God's", 1 Corinthians 3:22-23.
The Gospel places
our vessels close to the fountain of goodness itself; and surely we must have
all if we are united to the One who has everything. Can any good news come to
glorified saints which heaven does not give them? We are proof of that glory in
the Word: "Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel" 2 Timothy 1:10. The sun in the
sky hides heaven from us while it shows the earth to us! But the Gospel
enlightens both at once-- godliness has the "promise of the life that now
is, and of that which is to come" 1 Timothy 4:8.
The audience must
have a personal interest before an announcement can be good news. While we can
be happy to hear about something good happening to another person, it affects
us more when it is poured directly into our own hearts. For example, a sick man
does not feel the joy of another's recovery as strongly as he would his own.
The Gospel does not report what God has done for angels but for us.
"Unto you," the angel said, "is born... a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord" Luke 2:11. If angels rejoiced for our happiness, surely
our benefit gives even deeper reason to be glad.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617
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