When the Apostle Paul described the greatness of God’s goodness, he used these beautiful flowing words found in the King James Version of the Bible. “O, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33) In other words – God’s goodness is beyond great! He then continues, “For who can know what the Lord is thinking! Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen” (Romans 11:34-35 NLT). God is beyond great!

In the book of Romans Paul continues with the theme that God is beyond great. Ponder these points in Romans chapter 1.

First – The Gospel is Beyond Great. Paul says that he was “separated” or set apart for the gospel. (See Romans 1:1.) Paul was sent to preach the Good News. “This Good News was promised long ago by God through the prophets in the holy scriptures. It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line. And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 1:2-4 NLT). This Good News is beyond great!

As we were watching over 40 hot air balloons light up the night sky at the Balloon Glow, two of my grandchildren said, “PaPa, we know which balloon is your favorite.” “Which one,” I asked. “It’s the cross one,” they replied in unison. “You’re right, it’s the crimson/purple one and it’s named “Lift High the Cross”. Do you know why it’s my favorite?” I asked. “It’s because Jesus died on the cross for our sins,” they replied. Yes, the Good News is beyond great because even little children can understand and receive it.

My mother enjoys garage sales. So I occasionally take her to some. Recently, while rummaging through a box of books, I came across a little green Gideon New Testament. It was marked “10 cents”. As I handed it to the cashier, I remarked, “This is only priced 10 cents. But do you know that the Gospel inside of this is worth much more than $10 million. It’s the most valuable thing here.” Yes, it’s beyond great!

Abraham Lincoln said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book. I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

The Apostle Paul said that he couldn’t wait to get to Rome to preach the gospel. “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ – it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is by faith that a righteous person has life” (Romans 1:15-17 NLT).

Second –God’s Son is Beyond Great. Jesus’ greatness is in the marvelous fact that the Son of God came as a man at the incarnation. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin into King David’s royal line. Because his humanity was real, he knows our “frame”. Jesus was shown to be the Son of God when the Father raised him from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. (See Romans 1:2-4.) Someday soon “every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Third – God’s Grace is Beyond Great. “You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends . . . God loves you dearly and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 1:6-7 NLT).

John Newton, a ship’s captain, slaver, sinner, and drunkard, experienced God’s grace that is beyond great and wrote the powerful hymn “Amazing Grace”. Why does that hymn bring chills up and down your spine and tears to your eyes whether it’s played by bagpipes or bugles or sung by raspy voices in a nursing home? Because truly God’s grace is beyond great.

Paul exclaims, “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise, thou shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22).

God’s goodness and grace is beyond great. Receive His Son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior today.