Our nation’s government is defined by two important documents: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (Bill of Rights). Although it seems to be debatable for some on how important these documents are for modern living, it has at least been recognized throughout much of our history, that these documents shape the structure for every major part of how our government functions and why it functions in the first place.
In a similar way, the “Good News” is two parts of one story contained in one document (the Bible). The Good News starts with a declaration of independence from our sinful nature. Colossians 1:9-14, “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
The good news is that rescue has been made possible through Jesus Christ! But as Paul describes in this passage, he continually prays that they can understand how to live as rescued people.
Jesus’ declaration to those in bondage (sin) gives us hope. But His death on the cross didn’t fully explain how to live a free life. Although one could argue that His self-sacrifice on the cross demonstrated the ultimate ‘love for neighbor,’ we can easily see that there are further instructions to glorify God by what we do and say, after being set free.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines the “constitution.” By describing the attitudes and motives behind people in God’s kingdom, it helps potential followers know what they’re getting into before they take the plunge. This is an important part of Jesus’ ministry that He brings light to what Satan tries to keep hidden.
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… [but] the world did not recognize Him… [nor] receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:4-5, 9-13). God’s ways bring life, but we must follow Him because “He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the father without Him” (John 14:6).
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