1 Corinthians 9:16
For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Scripture Insights
I will never forget the gloom of watching Avengers: Infinity War. Spoiler alert: it ends with your favorite superheroes dissolving into dust. There is no resolution. There is no good-news ending. We were held in the tension of bad news for a whole year until Avengers: End Game was finally released. The good guys came back, and audiences in theaters across the globe broke movie theater protocol by erupting in joyous applause. The buzz of that good news was unbridled and contagious.
I had a seminary professor who always translated the New Testament phrase “preaching the gospel” as “good news-ing.” A good movie resolution does not hold a candle to the significance of the good news of Jesus. This good news rearranges hearts and transforms people.
No matter how gifted Paul’s preaching was, he could not boast because the heart of his message was the sheer, audacious grace of a loving God who could make one into a whole new person. May this good news lodge itself so deep in us that we become compelled to join Paul in unbridled, contagious, and humble proclamation.
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus, who are we that you would care so deeply for our wayward souls? Thank you for your unrelenting grace. May the overflow of our grateful hearts lead us to proclaim your goodness to a hurting world.
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—David Goodwin
Youth Pastor, Central Church of the Nazarene (Kansas)
