We call it good news.

But somewhere along the way, it seems, many of us stopped believing that- and inevitably stopped preaching it.

For many women of faith, the gospel has been presented as something we must manage carefully- pray the right way, say the right things, act correctly in order to stay in God’s favor. Instead of rest, it brings anxiety. Instead of freedom, it brings fear. Instead of a relationship it creates religious duty.

I urge you to pause and ask: Is this what good news is supposed to do?

Jesus didn’t come with a threat. The coming of Christ brought healing, inclusion, restoration, and mercy.

He ate with the “wrong” people, forgave before anyone repented, and restored dignity before behavior changed.

I think many people, in their human nature, view this as unfair! It stirs within us a desire for a kind of false justice- one that demands payment, punishment, or exclusion.

But doesn’t that also limit the power of God and the gospel? If His power isn’t strong enough to restore us all, then is God really omnipotent?

The gospel declares no one is beyond redemption, no story beyond restoration, and no soul outside the reach of divine love.

A gospel that depends on fear (consciously or not) to motivate belief or curate behavior isn’t good news. A gospel, which is rooted in love, invites trust instead of terror.

What if salvation is restoration of what was broken, reconciling of what was divided, and a remembrance of who we have always belonged to?

The gospel isn’t transactional- it is transformational! You don’t change for God- God changes you!

And it is good because it tells the truth about God’s character. That love is deeper than sin, that mercy washes away failure, and that restoration- not rejection- is God’s final word.

Good news does not come with an expiration date. It does not hinge on perfect theology. And it does not abandon the lost.

Good news says: God is better than you thought!

And that- to me- sounds like very good news.

The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8 TPT)

And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty”, leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance”, enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” (Romans 8:15 TPT)

For God is satisfied to have all his fullness dwelling in Christ. And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brough back to himself- back to its original intent, restored to innocence again! (Colossian 1:19-20 TPT)

But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly! And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us!

For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours.

Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more will we be rescued from sin’s dominion! And even more than that, we overflow with triumphant joy in our new relationship of living reconciled to God- all because of Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:8-11 TPT)