I was going to Somerset the other day and while listening to the radio, a phrase caught my attention, the announcer said “News You Can Use.” Now a lot of news on radio, television and the internet isn’t very useful to me. In fact a bunch of it is downright depressing and sad to hear about. But I do know some news that is extremely useful to me and for all of humanity. The word gospel literally means good tidings or good news. The news of Jesus of Nazareth dying on a Roman cross for the sins of mankind, thus making salvation possible, is certainly “News You Can Use.” Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Rom.1:16. This “News You Can Use” has the power to bring salvation to me. I would definitely think this is “News You Can Use.” Something grand about this “News You Can Use” is that is for everybody. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mk.16:15-16. But in order for this “News You Can Use” to be effective in our lives, we must accept it by faith. For it is the believer who benefits from this good news. Which implies an obedient faith to the Lord. Paul says in Rom.1:5 “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.” Someday we will be judged by this “News You Can Use” as Paul said, “on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Rom.2:16. Thank the Lord that we have this “News You Can Use.” Are you using it? Are you neglecting it? Think on these things.
—Dan McKibben; whatsaiththescriptures.com      Â
