All Fall Short
Scripture
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. (Romans 3:21-31)
Reflection
Have you ever wondered who the most obedient hero in the Bible was? Or have you ever thought about who the most devout believer in history would be, who is the most Christ-like believer of our day? Out of the 8.1 billion people currently living in the world today, someone might think that there has to be at least one who is good… one who measures up… one who is righteous.
In Romans 3:23, we read that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All have missed the mark, all are missing the mark, and all will continue to miss the mark. In verse 12 Paul wrote, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
The apostles who followed Jesus suffered and, apart from John, died for his sake, yet all were still sinners in need of God’s mercy. The great theologians Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Charles Spurgeon, and the beloved pastor and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, all looked to Jesus for forgiveness and redemption.
No matter who comes to mind, we recognize that all fall short of God’s righteousness and are in need of his grace. There was only one who was altogether obedient, only one who was entirely devout, only one who was good, who measured up, one who was without sin; his name was Jesus—he was the Christ.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:14–15: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” As we reflect together on Christ’s sacrifice this Lenten season, let us remember the good news that Jesus invites us with arms open wide to receive his forgiveness, let us come to him in repentance and commit to live for our risen King in new and deeper ways.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, the shedding of your blood and your death on the cross was the only acceptable and adequate payment for our sins. Thank you for the righteousness that is ours through faith in you. Help us to live for you in ways that draw others to you.
Amen.
2024 Lenten Journey
Adrian Brown