John’s Good News

Luke 16:16-17

The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out.

Jesus explained to His disciples that the Law and the Prophets were preached until John. The Law exposes our sin before a holy God, and no one is capable of living up to its standards. Regardless of how hard we may try, our best efforts at righteousness are as filthy rags in comparison. While we may make excuses, Jesus instructed that it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the Law to bend. He strongly urged His followers to obey the teaching of John and repent.

Repentance is good news for us. We can all look back on past mistakes with regret and wish we had made different choices. We may even still struggle with habitual sin that still haunts us in some way. The good news for us, however, is that sin does not have to have dominion over us because of grace. When we truly repent and turn to Jesus, He forgives us and grants us grace to overcome any sin that seeks to destroy us. Like the Pharisees, however, we often fail to admit sin and excuse it. We must become humble and repent of the things that hinder our relationship with God, even if we have been Christians for a long time. Only through repentance can we be forgiven and receive grace to overcome. As Jesus instructed, the Law will not bend for us. We need to repent and turn from our sins if we are to overcome them.

Turning from sin can be difficult if we don’t have a place to which we turn. We must surrender that portion of our lives that is subject to sin to Christ. Only then can we walk free. Just trying to avoid sin in our own strength will not suffice. To properly turn from it, we must turn to Jesus and receive His forgiveness and grace.

What is hindering your relationship with God today? Are you struggling with sin in some area? Turn to Jesus and repent. Receive forgiveness and walk forth in grace. When that temptation to sin approaches you again, just turn and walk toward Jesus. Surrender your weak areas to Him. When you turn to Christ, you reject the Devil, and he will eventually flee from you. Determine today who you will accept and who you will reject, and find victory by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God over your life.

Have a blessed day!