Grace–Simple. Profound. Grace and the Gospel Sample

Tip of the Iceberg

The topic of grace is so deep and beautiful. An iceberg is the classic illustration of grace because you only see a little bit of the top sticking out of the surface, yet below it scores depth and beauty, size and weight. That’s a lot like our experience with God’s grace. Most of us understand that we are saved by grace, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more that God’s grace is working in our lives. 

In the book of Romans, Paul writes this letter to help us understand grace better and practice grace with others. Romans really spells it out for us like no other book does. It is absolutely central to the theology of the new testament and indispensable. If you were to topographically map the book of Romans, the peak of the mountain is around chapter 8 verse 1. It peaks there in language when Paul says, “There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” It’s beautiful. However, the heart of the argument in the whole book is actually in the chapter we are going to read. Scholars say that it’s the very center and heart as a whole of the gospel. 

Let’s look at Paul’s big statement. He says, “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known to which the Law and Prophets testify.” This statement drastically and dramatically challenges most of the theology of the planet earth. Think about how most people understand being right or liked by God.  Most of the earth, however they define God, would say, “be good and God will like you.” Lots of world religions and cults believe that their approach to God is only one way and that is through obedience and works. But Paul says, “apart from works of the law.” 

Let’s plot this. Works of the law are going in one direction and when Paul says, “apart from the law,” that is 90 degrees away and opposite direction from the law. The “new” way of being in right standing with God has been revealed, and the righteousness of God has been manifested. Righteousness is a big word we don’t use a lot in our normal language, but it means being in right standing with God.  Being on good terms with Him. Being accepted by Him. Being able to be in His presence. That is righteousness.