“Good” News Flash

A current television advertisement for automobile insurance addresses an inappropriateness of raising rates for a single collision. After faithful payments of premiums for many years, one should be given some mercy when filing a claim. In response to a rate hike, the actress makes the statement, “News Flash – Nobody’s Perfect!”  Pointing out the obvious that is being ignored, the colloquialism “news flash” is used sarcastically.

This expression, “News Flash – Nobody’s Perfect,” is often used defensively when one has made a mistake. When others are laughing at or dealing harshly with us, we may attempt to justify our own failure by reminding others of their failures as well. The news flash points out the obvious that we all fail.

The Bible confirms that all of us make mistakes and fall into sin. On our own we are cannot attain faultlessness. “As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10 AMP) We must reach out beyond our ability to gain righteousness. “Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24 AMP) The news flash is that we have all sinned and fall short. The good news flash is that God freely makes all who choose to believe righteous by His grace that was paid for by Jesus Christ. This principle is also expressed later in that same letter. “For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 AMP)

There are many “News/Good News Flashes” in the Scripture. Sin entered but grace abounds. “Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.”  (Romans 5:12 AMP) The passage does not end with this bad news but tells of the salvation available through Jesus. “But God's free gift is not at all to be compared to the trespass [His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man]. For if many died through one man's falling away (his lapse, his offense), much more profusely did God's grace and the free gift [that comes] through the undeserved favor of the one Man Jesus Christ abound and overflow to and for [the benefit of] many.”  (Romans 5:15 AMP) Good news flash - God’s grace far exceeds the penalty of sin.

We also understand that we won’t always have an easy life. Yet the good news is that we can be confident in the midst of trials. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMP) We also have the good news that whatever we face can be overcome. “Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 AMP) We overcome all when we walk in His love. “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].” (1 Peter 4:8 AMP) Good news flash -“Love never fails…”  (1 Corinthians 13:8a AMP)

We can live without trying to bring others down to make ourselves look better. The Good News Flash is that we can build others up. “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” (Philippians 4:8 AMP) This will reflect back on us.

 Do not focus on the negative in others or in life. Look to and share the Good News, always building others up. Good new flash – You are loved by God and can love others!