In contrast to this natural way of thinking, the gospel teaches that we are declared righteous in the eyes of God as we trust in Jesus Christ, in His righteous life, His death and resurrection.  Through faith in Christ, sinners are declared righteous in the eyes of God.  This is the powerful good news that brings freedom to guilt ridden people, softens hard hearts and warms cold exteriors.

As we come to Christ and learn to rest in the good news of the gospel, we learn to be real with ourselves and other people.  We no longer need to live for the approval of other people because we now we have the favor of God upon us. Because we are becoming more honest with our own sins and weaknesses we become less judgmental of other people.  We learn to demonstrate grace as we have been shown grace.

Brennan Manning put it very nicely when he wrote: “The Good News means we can stop lying to ourselves.  The sweet sound of amazing grace saves us from the necessity of self-deception.  It keeps us from denying that though Christ was victorious, the battle with lust, greed, and pride still rages within us.  As a sinner who has been redeemed, I can acknowledge that I am often unloving, irritable, angry, and resentful with those closest to me.  When I go to church I can leave my white hat at home and admit I have failed.  God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am.  Because of this I don’t need to apply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to him.  I can accept ownership of my poverty and powerlessness and neediness.”

But the gospel is more than forgiveness.  It is also about transformation.  The grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness and yes to the things God desires.  When God rescues us he transfers us to the Kingdom of His beloved son, Jesus Christ.  It is there where we begin the life-long journey of transformation into the image of Christ (sanctification).  This is really good news - a transformation into becoming more fully human, or what Jesus calls "abundant life."