We’re All Sinners, So Now What?

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”—Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) 

Grace

How can someone possibly achieve God’s glory? It is not something that can be done by earning good favor with Him. It is not something that we can find on our own. And that struggle is all because of sin.

Sin is best understood as the rift between us and God. It is everything that has ever happened to separate us from our loving Creator. And everyone is at fault. So is it unfair that we are condemned because of sin? No. What is unfair is that we have been justified by God’s grace through what Jesus has done for us.

We deserve to be thrown away. But God’s grace rescues us and makes us new. Justification is not some meaningless word. Justification is the answer to sin. As sin separates, justification unites. Jesus on the cross and risen from the grave unites us eternally to the Father. And while this will never be fair, it is a gift given for all people.