"All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God"

"All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God"

Good morning/afternoon. Today, we are reflecting on a powerful verse from Romans 3:23:

*"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."*

This verse is a cornerstone of the Christian understanding of humanity's need for salvation. It reminds us of our universal condition and points us to the solution found in Christ.

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### 1. **The Universality of Sin**

Paul’s words in Romans 3:23 are not exclusive to a certain group or time—they apply to everyone.

- **"All have sinned":**

Sin is not a selective problem; it is a human condition. From Adam to us today, every person has fallen into sin.

- **What is sin?** At its core, sin is anything that separates us from God—our thoughts, words, and actions that deviate from His will.

- **Examples of sin in Scripture:**

- Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3).

- David’s failure with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).

- Peter’s denial of Christ (Matthew 26:69-75).

Each of these individuals fell short, yet they were not abandoned by God.

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### 2. **Falling Short of the Glory of God**

What does it mean to fall short of God’s glory?

- **God’s glory is His perfection:**

His holiness, righteousness, and beauty are beyond human comprehension. Sin separates us from this perfect standard.

- **Illustration:**

Imagine trying to jump across the Grand Canyon. Whether you jump 5 feet or 50 feet, no one can reach the other side. Our "best efforts" in righteousness still fall short of God’s glory.

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### 3. **Acknowledging Our Need for Grace**

This verse doesn’t leave us in despair but sets the stage for hope.

- **The law reveals our sin:**

Romans 3:20 says, *"Through the law we become conscious of our sin."* The purpose of acknowledging sin is to turn us toward God’s provision of grace.

- **God’s solution in Christ:**

The very next verse, Romans 3:24, says, *"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."*

- While we are sinners, Christ bridges the gap.

- His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins and opened the way to reconciliation with God.

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### 4. **Responding to the Gospel**

Knowing we have sinned and fallen short should lead us to action:

- **Repentance:**

To repent is to acknowledge our sin and turn away from it toward God.

- **Faith in Christ:**

Romans 10:9 tells us, *"If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."*

- **Living transformed lives:**

Once redeemed, we live not in guilt but in gratitude, walking in obedience and reflecting His glory.

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### Closing:

Romans 3:23 humbles us, reminding us that no one is righteous on their own. But it also sets the stage for the greatest story of redemption—God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Let us acknowledge our sinfulness, embrace His grace, and live as redeemed children of God.

**Prayer:**

Father, we thank You for Your Word that reveals our need for You. We confess our sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Thank You for sending Jesus to redeem us and bring us into Your glory. Help us to walk in humility and gratitude for Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.