“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Today’s verse is the middle chunk of a longer sentence that spans four verses in Romans 3. The sentence begins, “For there is no distinction…” This is referring to conflict within the Roman church at the time Paul wrote this letter. Jewish and non-Jewish believers disputed what was required to follow Christ and whether the Jewish believers had any sort of advantage in God’s kingdom because of their ethnic heritage.  

In his letter, Paul acknowledged the varied history and traditions between the groups, but in verse nine he asked, “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin.” Paul then elaborated on how lost humanity is apart from Christ using some pretty strong language such as, “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless,” “Their throat is an open grave,” and “in their paths are ruin and misery” (Romans 3:12,13,16)

These words of condemnation, however, are not the end of Paul’s message. The “for all have sinned” sentence continues in verses 24 and 25. We read that all–Jewish and Gentile believers–”are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received in faith.”

The lostness of man is dismal and hopeless when we stop at Romans 3:23. It’s crucial to read on to the message of grace and redemption received in faith. At the same time, coming to terms with Romans 3:23, with how we each fall short, is a critical step in the Christian journey. Before we turn to Christ as our salvation, we first have to acknowledge the fact that we all fall short and cannot be our own saviors.  

My brother and sister-in-law lead a campus ministry for division one college athletes. They work with highly motivated young men and women who have worked hard to advance themselves in their sports. You might think a statement like, “all fall short” would be especially offensive to this group of achievers. And yet, time and time again, this truth of the gospel brings such relief to the students my in-laws work with. We consistently hear them share a similar theme from these athletes: they reach a point where they realize all their strivings have still left them lacking. When they hear Romans 3:23, they can relate.  

From there, when the gospel is presented and these athletes learn they can have peace with God and rest in what Christ has already accomplished on their behalf, the tradeoff of receiving Christ as their savior rather than continuing to try to save themselves truly feels like good news. As one student put it recently, “I have been living a self-directed life, and it hasn’t delivered. I want to start a life that’s directed by Christ.”  

As Christians, rather than being offended or dismayed by the truth of our shortcomings, we respond in surrender and gratitude. The greatest work, the work that we could never accomplish–living a perfectly holy life–has been accomplished on our behalf through Christ. We can choose to accept the truth of Romans 3:23, to cease our self-effort, and to receive justification and redemption in faith.  

Receiving this truth marks the beginning of our Christian walk. However, the decision to rely on God’s grace versus our own efforts is not a choice we make just once. Paul asked the Galatians, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). This is a question we can each ask ourselves today–having been justified through Christ, are you now trying to be perfected by your own merit, through your own striving?  

Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, and there is nothing we can ever hope to add to it. But we can respond to it. We can daily acknowledge how we fall short and daily turn from our self-directed tendencies to a life that is directed by Christ and fueled by his grace.

Father in Heaven, it’s amazing how often I reach the end of myself and am somehow surprised by it. I exhaust myself mentally, emotionally, and physically trying to direct my own path and be my own source of strength. I say you are my Lord and Savior, yet here I am trying to lead and save myself. Thank you for reminding me that I fall short and there is no way around it. I need you. Thank you for your grace that is sufficient and for your strength that is made perfect in my weakness. You alone are good. Help me today to rely on your goodness and not my own. I know then I will be satisfied and lacking nothing. In Jesus holy name I pray, amen.