Good News!   Everybody likes to receive good news about a job promotion, good grades, or the birth of a baby. God has good news for every person on the planet. God's good news is presented throughout the Bible. Jesus spoke about God's good news in John 3:16 when He said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."   God loves everyone as this verse clearly says. But some have drawn a false assumption that because God loves everyone, everyone will have everlasting life; that is, everyone will go to heaven. We need only look at what Jesus said next in John 3 to understand how false that assumption is: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:17-18)   Verse 16 implies that everlasting life must be received. Verses 17-18 make it abundantly clear that if it is not received condemnation awaits. The reason for this condemnation is because God is perfectly sinless and we are sinners. The good news is that God has provided a way for sinners to enter into eternal fellowship with Him without violating His holiness.   God gave His Son (Jesus Christ) and the Son gave His life for us. When He died on the cross Jesus took on Himself the penalty and judgment we deserved because of our sin. He paid that penalty when He suffered in our place. Those who believe in Him, or trust Him, receive the gift of eternal life. We are saved through Him as John 3:17 tells us.   Verse 18 makes is clear that humanity is divided into two groups. There are those who believe in Jesus Christ and there are those who do not. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are no longer under condemnation, but rather have eternal life. Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are under God's condemnation. Which of the last two sentences describes you? Are you trusting in Jesus Christ for your salvation, or not?   Stop trusting in yourself and trust in Jesus Christ, God's only Son today.         Home | About Us | Ministries | Beliefs | Directions | Staff | Calendar | Good News   Calvary Baptist Church, 15880/90 Crest Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191 (703) 670-7217; (703) 670-2650; Fax: (703) 897-0333   cbcwoodbridge@cbc-email.org | www.calvarybaptistonline.org   Questions, comments, or suggestions about this web site? Send feedback.