23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
When reading this beautiful passage from Romans, I don't know that there is much commentary to provide. It is comforting to know that "ALL have sinned and fall short." It isn't comforting to know that we have sinned or that we fall short; but comforting to know that sinning and falling short pertains to all...not some or a few, or even many. I think many times we think there is a sin hierarchy in the world of Christianity. Maybe a pastor's sin is different from a church member's sin. Maybe a new believer's sin is different from a seasoned believer's sin. Sin is sin and we are all guilty.
We should be thankful our guilty "verdict" isn't the end. Blackaby explains, "through Christ's sacrifice, God, by His grace, offered His salvation and canceled the penalty of sin. He takes a life that has fallen short of God's best and gives it meaning." It is humbling to think that I'm forgiven. I pray that each day I'm reminded of the grace I've been given and the sacrifice that was made for my sin. I hope each person who finds salvation in Christ, wakes each morning thankful their sin has been erased. My greater hope is that those who have no hope, who cling to the very sin that is destroying them, will soon confess their sins and be cleansed by His precious blood.
Allen Cothran
Technical Ministries Director
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