Many are familiar with and even live by the saying, “If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.” Many of us know this to be true in certain circumstances, however, is this true in all cases?Although they may not say it, many believe that salvation by grace through faith in Christ is too good to be true. They prove they believe this by either adding or take away certain elements of the Gospel to make it more believable. Some, for example, take away the sin and guilt element while others teach that although there is an element of faith, this faith must be accompanied with works for one to be saved.
According to Romans 3, all are guilty of sin and no one deserves to be exempt from condemnation. However, Paul ends the chapter by explaining that although no one is righteous, the righteousness of God is made available by grace through faith in Christ and apart from any obedience to the law.
In Sunday’s sermon, I explained that although the Gospel seems too good to be true, it is in fact true. Below is my outline which demonstrates why the Gospel seems too good to be true.
1) IT IS A WORK OF GOD, THEREFORE IT CANNOT BE EARNED. (vv. 21a)
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,
- Although sin is universal and all are without excuse, God has provided a way to himself that is apart from human works.
- A believer is made right with God by God’s grace and apart from obedience to any law. When a person is declared righteous by God, this has nothing to do with who that person is or what he or she has done. It is unmerited and undeserved favor.
2) IT IS GOD’S EXCLUSIVE PLAN, THEREFORE IT IS NOT AN ALTERNATIVE. (vv. 21b)
although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—
- This point is primarily directed at the Jewish people. Their whole religious system centered on the teachings of the law and the prophets, which, by the way, is a reference to the Old Testament. Although the Jewish people held the Scriptures in high regard, they believed that within them was a formula for achieving salvation. Paul indicates, however, that the Scriptures point to a Savior. Jesus also criticized this mentality saying,
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me. John 5:39
- Many see Christianity as an offshoot of Judaism and treat Jesus as one among many. One of the reasons this happens is because when new beliefs systems are formed they often do away with many previous teachings.
- The Christian teachings are not new ideas that were conjured up in the first century and Jesus is not one among many. He has always been the only way to God. The first covenant is known as the Covenant of Redemption, which was made between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This agreement that was made involved the Son becoming a man, being our representative, obeying the demands of God on our behalf and paying the penalty for sin, which we deserved.
3) IT IS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH FAITH, THEREFORE NO OTHER MEANS ARE NECESSARY. (vv. 22- 24)
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift,
- Paul wants his readers to understand that to be made right with God, one must place his/her faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness of God mentioned several times in this passage is referring to being absolute and perfect the way God is absolute and perfect. This is something that we cannot be. Why? Look again at v. 23.
- The good news is that Christ has been that for us and offers us his righteousness. Even though we did not play a part, through faith in Christ we are justified by God’s grace as a gift. This means that we are treated as if we were righteous as if we kept the law.
4) IT IS THE SUFFICIENT WORK OF CHRIST, THEREFORE NOTHING SHOULD BE ADDED. (v. 25)
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
- Because all have sinned against God, the only way we could settle matters with Him is by spending eternity in Hell. Paul, however, shows that it is God who is the only one who can settle matters between Himself and us in a way that keeps us from being condemned.
- One of the main reasons why Jesus’ work is sufficient is because he is both fully God and fully man. As a man he was our representative who fully met God’s requirements and was put to death as our substitute and perfect sacrifice. As God eternal, he paid for our sins eternally at the cross. The key phrase in this verse is, “God put forward” and the key word is “propitiation,” demonstrating that Jesus was put on display to show the world that His death satisfied God’s wrath against all who place their trust in Him.
