Good News

by Micky Galloway

The wisdom writer said, “(As) cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25). Paul was often distressed for the brethren. In Galatians 4:19-20 he wrote, “My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you – but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.” The Jewish Christians, not long after Paul’s visit, were requiring Gentiles who became Christians to receive circumcision. Paul said, “I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). How disappointing that must have been! Many among the Corinthians had turned from a morally corrupt life to serve the Lord. Paul wrote, “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11). Yet, in I Corinthians 5 it was actually reported that fornication was being tolerated in the church, “and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one (of you) hath his father's wife.” The apostle had expressed his frustration in I Corinthians 4:21, “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” Likewise, many among the Ephesians had turned from an idolatrous and corrupt life, yet they were tempted to resume the same lifestyle that had characterized their past (cf. Ephesians 4:17-5:13). The inspired writer called upon them to “awake (wake up NIV), thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee. Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:14-15). In times of discouragement or disappointment, or as Paul expressed it, “anxiety for the churches” (cf. II Corinthians 11:28), good news is indeed refreshing.

It was good news when he heard from Timothy that the Corinthians had repented of their sins and their toleration of the sins of others. Paul had written pointedly of many things in the first Corinthian letter rebuking them for the numerous manifestations of their division. “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and (that) there be no divisions among you; but (that) ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). His deep concerns are expressed in II Corinthians 7:5-7 as he was traveling through Macedonia toward Corinth. “For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but (we were) afflicted on every side; without (were) fightings, within (were) fears. Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, (even) God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more.” He had sent Titus on ahead to see how they fared. The good news from Titus was refreshing. They had corrected their wrongs, and expressed their fervent desire to see Paul. “Therefore we have been comforted: And in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all … I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you” (II Corinthians 7:13, 16).

It was good news when he heard from Titus that the Thessalonian brethren were not moved from their faith by persecutions. Paul and Silas, first preached the Gospel in this city (cf. Acts 17). Though some of the Jews, as well as many of the chief women (Acts 17:4), believed and associated with Paul and Silas, they were not well received by the Jews in general. “But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people. And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, (one) Jesus” (Acts 17:5-7). These words were exceedingly troubling to the rulers of the city. Paul and Silas were aided by the brethren to flee to Beroea. Eventually, Paul came to Athens to find the city full of idols. He sent word to Timothy and Silas to “come with all speed” (cf. Acts 17:15). It appears that Timothy did join him in Athens and was immediately sent back to Thessalonica, to establish the believers there, and comfort them concerning the faith (I Thessalonians 3:2). “For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain” (I Thessalonians 3:4-5). Timothy’s words were so very refreshing. “But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also (to see) you; for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you” (I Thessalonians 3:6-11).

It was good news when Paul learned through Timothy that the brethren in Philippi were doing well. Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote, “But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state” (Philippians 2:19-20). Paul also “counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; since he longed after you all, and was sore troubled, because ye had heard that he was sick” (Philippians 2:25-26). Though Epaphroditus was not a Jew, Paul affectionately names him to the Philippians as his brother. We are blessed “in Christ” to form close relationships with others of different race, different financial standing, etc. to make the best friends on earth. Often these are closer than family. We genuinely feel drawn to one another in Christ. Notice that the Philippians had fellowship with Paul through Epaphroditus, “your messenger and minister to my need.” Needless to say, the Philippians were very concerned to learn that he was sick. Indeed, he had been sick “nigh unto death” (verse 27). Paul sent him, “that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice ...” (verse 28). Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the church in Philippi had great occasion to rejoice with such good news.

Yes, “(As) cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25). The apostle John said it this way, “Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (III John 3-4).