An Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at Creekwood  

The Best News

The following story is told in "The Best of Bits and Pieces":

Robert De Vincenzo, the great Argentine golfer, once won a tournament and, after receiving the check and smiling for the cameras, he went to the clubhouse and prepared to leave.  Some time later, he walked alone to his car in the parking lot and was approached by a young woman.  She congratulated him on his victory and then told him that her child was seriously ill and near death.  She did not know how she could pay the doctor's bills and hospital expenses.

De Vincenzo was touched by her story, and he took out a pen and endorsed his winning check for payment to the woman.  "Make some good days for the baby," 
he said as he pressed the check into her hand.

The next week he was having lunch in a country club when a Professional Golf Association official came to his table.  "Some of the boys in the parking lot last week told me you met a young woman there after you won that tournament."  De Vincenzo nodded.

"Well," said the official, "I have news for you.  She's a phony! She has no sick baby.  She's not even married.  She fleeced you, my friend."

"You mean there is NO baby who is dying??" said De Vincenzo.

"That's right," said the official.

"Well, that's the BEST NEWS I've heard ALL week,"  De Vincenzo said.*

What a beautiful spirit!

Commenting on this marvelous act, Alan Smith states: “De Vincenzo's attitude is reminiscent of the spirit that God has shown toward us!  Despite mankind taking God's goodness for granted, despite our repeated failures, God was willing to give not just a token amount, but the ultimate sacrifice of His Son. And He did so, 
NOT reluctantly or with resentment, but willingly and gladly -
knowing that while most would only show DISDAIN for his gift, some would respond in OBEDIENCE motivated by FAITH and LOVE.”

"For when we were STILL without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His OWN love toward us, in that while we were STILL SINNERS, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

The bad news is that we ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and are thereby condemned (Romans 6:23).

The Good news (the Gospel) is that even though He knew many would reject His offer, God sent His Son to pay the price for our SIN (Ephesians 1:7).  To accept His GIFT of salvation, we must believe in Christ (Acts 16:31), turn from our sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38), AND live faithfully to the God who loves us despite our sins (1 John 1:7-9).

The BEST NEWS is when you and I come to receive that Gift on His terms.

This is truly the BEST NEWS of ALL!

God bless you,

David A. Sargent / Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* Alan Smith, White House Church of Christ, White House, Tennessee, “Thought for Today (3/17/05): Giving With Love.”  See www.TFTD-online.com

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