Yes! There is Good News! 2.25.17

“His kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19) “Jesus came ... preaching the good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 4:23)

Is it good news to you that God’s kingdom rules over all? It seems to me that somehow our human nature resents being ruled over. Oh! Maybe the word “resent” is too strong and we should insert the word “reject.” Nevertheless, the question stands; do you reject (or resent) being ruled over? In other words, do you feel that God has no right to interfere in your life? This really seems to be where Eve and then Adam started out. And I think we pointed out, in a previous article, where that attitude led. Suffice it to say, it hasn’t been good news!

There is an old saying in Latin, “Rex Lex or Lex Rex.” “Lex” being the word for “law,” and “Rex” being the word for “king.” In other words, “is the king the law, or is the law the king?” In the United States we live by rule of law. (At least, it’s supposed to work that way!) But in a monarchy it is just the opposite; the king is the law - what he says goes! The Bible tells us that God has set up a monarchy and so He rules over all.

Okay! That’s where we started this article, but we haven’t considered whether this is good news or not. Several weeks ago, we explored this idea that He was good and that He was good all the time. (See article in the January 28 issue). May I suggest that if He is good all the time, then we have a wonderful King? It has been said that the best form of government is a beneficent dictatorship. In many ways, our God dictates to us and we have come to the understanding that He is beneficent.

Our God is a loving Father! He is more than just a loving Father; He is a perfect loving Father. Do you believe that?

Then let me reiterate something I said earlier, “The laws that He has given to us are gifts from Him and are for our benefit. “ The book of Job addresses this comment; in Job 35:6, Elihu (the one friend of Job who is not chastised by God) says this, “If you sin, how does that affect Him? If your sins are many, what does that do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him or what does He receive from your hand?” This says a mouthful toward the fact that God has given us laws for our benefit.

The benefit is twofold - first, we learn how to act toward our neighbors (and they toward us), and secondly, but most importantly, we learn how our God would have us act toward Him. This is summed up in the two great commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, strength, and life and love your neighbor as yourself.

Well, I don’t know about you, but for me, the gift of His kingdom and its laws and commandments is really good news.

Until next time, think on the good things of God.