Who Doesn't Want a Little Good News?

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. Romans 6:6, 7 (New Living Translation)


I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)

Have you ever been reading scripture and it feels like you are reading a script from a comedy routine. “That’s the good news.” “Oh, so that‘s the good news.” “No that’s the bad news.” “I get it. That’s the bad news.” “No that’s the good news.”

As I read Romans chapter six and then chapter seven, I almost wanted to say “Wait a minute, aren’t these two chapters in the wrong order?” After all, chapter six clearly tells me that I am no longer a slave to sin. That’s the good news. Christ died for me. I accept that. I’m dead to sin. Christ freed me from the penalty of sin and brought me out of slavery. He freed me from the power of sin. So, sin doesn’t have to wield any power over me unless I choose to allow it. Sounds like I could be doing a whole lot better. Not that I will ever be sinless on this Earth but at least I have the power to sin less. Not my power really, but His power available to me. All I have to do is tap into it. Call on it. Use it and sin less. Yes, definitely that must be the good news.

Then along comes chapter seven and it seems to be telling me that there is another power working against me; a power that is making me a slave to the sin that I still have in me. That’s the bad news! How discouraging is that!? Well, honestly, pretty discouraging but then along comes another news flash. Jesus Christ our Lord will free us from this life that is dominated by sin. Yes, that is the good news.

If you continue into chapter eight, it’s all good news.
· There’s no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus
· The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed us from the power of sin
· God declared an end to sin’s control over us
· Letting the Spirit control one’s mind leads to life and peace
· The Spirit of God lives in our bodies
· The Spirit that raised Christ will raise our mortal bodies to life
· We are not obligated to obey our sinful nature
· We are adopted as God’s own children
· We are his heirs
· His Spirit joins with our spirit
· He will reveal his glory to us
· We will have freedom from death and decay
· We look forward to the day he will give us new bodies
· The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness
· The Holy Spirit prays for us
· The Holy Spirit pleads to God for us in harmony with His will
· God has given us right standing with himself
· No one can condemn us
· Christ Jesus died for us
· Christ Jesus was raised to life for us
· Christ Jesus is sitting at God’s right hand pleading for us
· Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ
· Nothing can separate us from God’s love

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? Romans 8: 31

"That's the good news."
"Not quite, it's the best news I've ever heard."