All Have Sinned and Fall Short
Salvation Through Grace, Not Works
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 3:23-24 CSB - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
OBSERVATION:
There are four key points to take away from these two verses—four truths that reveal the foundation for justification by faith:
1. All Have Sinned
We must first recognize that we have all sinned. The word "sin" comes from an old archery term: when an arrow missed the bullseye, it was called a "sin." In our case, the target is the law, yet the law shows we cannot hit the mark.
James 2:10 (NKJV) – “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Paul later explains that the law was our schoolmaster, meant to teach us that we need a Savior.
2. All Fall Short
To fall short means we don’t measure up. But what is the standard? It’s not each other—and not even the law. Our standard is Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
No matter how hard we try, we all fall short. But when we realize we can't—and He can—we find justification.
3. Justified Freely by His Grace
Justification means “the action of declaring or making someone righteous in the sight of God.” In simple terms, it means “as if I had never sinned.”
Romans 3:28 (NKJV) – “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
We are justified not because we earned it but because Jesus paid for it. When we trust Him by faith, we receive His righteousness—a righteousness that is not our own.
4. Redemption in Christ Jesus
To be redeemed is to regain possession of something in exchange for payment. Jesus paid that price through His death on the cross—He purchased us with His blood.
Galatians 3:13–14 (NKJV) –“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
These four points—sin, falling short, justification, and redemption—remind us that salvation is not something we earn but a gift we receive by faith in Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION:
Though we all sin—daily—and fall short of the standard set by Jesus, we have been justified and redeemed by His work on the cross. We no longer have to try to measure up—He did it for us.
Today, walk in victory, knowing you have been justified and redeemed. Jesus loves you more than you will ever fully grasp. As we walk in this new freedom, may it transform us into His image.
May we be bearers of the good news of the Gospel so that others may also find justification and redemption in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for justification and redemption through Your grace. I don’t deserve it, but I am grateful You have done the work I could not. May I reflect this work so others may see and come to You for salvation.
Romans 3:23-24 CSB - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
OBSERVATION:
There are four key points to take away from these two verses—four truths that reveal the foundation for justification by faith:
- All have sinned
- All fall short
- We have been justified freely by His grace
- We have redemption in Christ Jesus
1. All Have Sinned
We must first recognize that we have all sinned. The word "sin" comes from an old archery term: when an arrow missed the bullseye, it was called a "sin." In our case, the target is the law, yet the law shows we cannot hit the mark.
James 2:10 (NKJV) – “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Paul later explains that the law was our schoolmaster, meant to teach us that we need a Savior.
2. All Fall Short
To fall short means we don’t measure up. But what is the standard? It’s not each other—and not even the law. Our standard is Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) – “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
No matter how hard we try, we all fall short. But when we realize we can't—and He can—we find justification.
3. Justified Freely by His Grace
Justification means “the action of declaring or making someone righteous in the sight of God.” In simple terms, it means “as if I had never sinned.”
Romans 3:28 (NKJV) – “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”
We are justified not because we earned it but because Jesus paid for it. When we trust Him by faith, we receive His righteousness—a righteousness that is not our own.
4. Redemption in Christ Jesus
To be redeemed is to regain possession of something in exchange for payment. Jesus paid that price through His death on the cross—He purchased us with His blood.
Galatians 3:13–14 (NKJV) –“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
These four points—sin, falling short, justification, and redemption—remind us that salvation is not something we earn but a gift we receive by faith in Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION:
Though we all sin—daily—and fall short of the standard set by Jesus, we have been justified and redeemed by His work on the cross. We no longer have to try to measure up—He did it for us.
Today, walk in victory, knowing you have been justified and redeemed. Jesus loves you more than you will ever fully grasp. As we walk in this new freedom, may it transform us into His image.
May we be bearers of the good news of the Gospel so that others may also find justification and redemption in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for justification and redemption through Your grace. I don’t deserve it, but I am grateful You have done the work I could not. May I reflect this work so others may see and come to You for salvation.
All have sinned and fallen short, yet through Christ’s sacrifice we are freely justified and redeemed, receiving a righteousness we could never earn.
Posted in 06 - Romans
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