The 10:00 A.M. report raced through the West Virginia coal mining town like lightning. “There was an explosion at the mine.” That was true, chillingly true.
At 6:30 A.M. thirteen miners were trapped 10,000 feet from the Sago Mine entrance and about 260 feet underground. January 2006 was off to a tragic start.
“They’ve sent a rescue team to find them.” That was true, reassuringly true.
The Bible describes the similar position we are in. The prophet Isaiah said, Your sins have separated you from God. The Apostle Paul said, You were dead in your sins. Not flattering, but true. It seems we’re trapped, though above ground.
The worried families and friends gathered at the nearby church and got reports every couple of hours. They heard the good news near midnight: “They’ve found them and they’re alive.” That was not true. Very unfortunately, it was NOT true.
In the church and on the streets more than 250 voices celebrated the false good news. Some sang, some cried for joy, but mind-numbing news would come in three hours.
Along the way, I suppose you and I have also heard good news that is not true—such things as, Everybody gets to heaven in the end—God only expects you to do your best—it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. Maybe such news is reassuring, maybe sincerely believed, but still NOT true.
For the families of the miners, the truth exploded like a bomb when the horrible announcement came at 3:00 A.M. Now there were tears of distress, not tears of joy. Twelve miners were dead in this unspeakable tragedy.
Thankfully, the Bible tells us not only the bad news about how we’ve gone so dangerously far astray, but it also brings good news—and it is TRUE. When writing to believers, the Apostle Paul reminds them, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)).
I have a question for you. Have you ever welcomed the good news about this gift of salvation? Did you ever first of all believe God’s bad news about your sin and need of a Rescuer?
It may seem too good to be true, but it is TRUE. It is God’s Word.