The Bad News and the Good News

Hanging around by a corner of one of the many streets she frequented, the darkness of the night covered her as she stood there, waiting for someone to pick her up.

Her long, curly hair was neatly combed. Her beautiful face donned with a light make-up that made her look even more attractive. She had those beautiful pair of hazel-colored irises that attracted many which what she wanted. It was her hope every night as she tried to earn money by using the only career she had ever known: prostitution.


She was able to survive and make a living doing it this way. For many years, she had done it, yet, her age said she was only 19 years old.


Waddling as she made her way through the Female Intake yard of the prison, with her shoulders low, she appeared weary from being caught and arrested by the police officer patrolling that area where she was. This was not the only incarceration recorded for her. She was in and out of the jail many, many times for the same violations. Unfortunately, she was risking her health, too and that of the precious child she was carrying in her womb. Her first pregnancy and she was on her 8th month, ready anytime to deliver a precious baby.


Delivering a baby is a painful experience we, women, who had children, had to endure. Women have different views about it. Some loved it, some didn’t care. But we inherited the painful process of delivering from our ancestor “Eve” who disobeyed God, along with her husband “Adam”. Don’t get me wrong! Babies are blessings from the Lord. I’m only talking about the process of giving birth.


“You will bear children with intense pain and suffering.”- Genesis 3:16


Yes, we all inherited the sinful nature of Adam and Eve. Their disobedience and fall from God’s gracious presence affected all creation. Sins separate us from God because they lead to spiritual death. Sins and God don’t mix because God is holy, righteous, and pure! This is the “BAD NEWS”.


But there is a way to be declared “not guilty”. That way is to trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. No matter what background we have or past behaviors we did, God’s solution is available to all of us - putting our confidence in Christ to forgive our sins, make us right with God and to empower our lives the way Jesus taught us.


By virgin birth, Jesus was also born to this world. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel [meaning “God with us”].” - Matthew 1:23. Jesus’ conception and birth are supernatural events that are beyond human reasoning. Mary’s child [Jesus] was conceived by the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus did not inherit Adam and Eve’s sins.


“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” - John 3:16,17


And this is the “GOOD NEWS”. When we put our trust and confidence in Jesus, He alone can save us. Save us from what? From “eternal condemnation”. Hell is the place where people who are spiritually dead go.


The pregnant, beautiful young woman changed to the prison-issued uniforms. Just like others, she is a sinner. Unfortunately, it’s you and me, too. It’s all of us…

We are all “prostitutes” when our backs are turned on One Holy God. We are “prostitutes” when we are worshiping idols, instead of Him. “Go and marry a prostitute, so some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the Lord by worshiping other gods.” -Hosea 1:2


All I could do was to utter a prayer for her. And for me…


Romans 5:18,19 - "Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight."