Over the next several months we're going to take a journey through one of the greatest subjects in all of Scripture—our great salvation. We'll discover why we need salvation, what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection, what God has done for us as believers, and the wonderful hope we have because of Jesus Christ.

 

Whether you've been walking with the Lord for many years, you've recently trusted Christ, or you're simply searching for answers, I'm thankful you've joined me today. My prayer is that God's Word will encourage believers and clearly point those who do not yet know Christ to the only Savior.

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Our key verse today is Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

 

I'd like to begin by asking you a simple question.

 

Have you ever had a problem you didn't even know you had?

 

Sometimes a person feels perfectly healthy, goes for a routine medical examination, and discovers there's a serious illness that has been developing quietly. They had no idea anything was wrong until the doctor gave the diagnosis. Once they understood the seriousness of the problem, the cure suddenly became incredibly valuable.

 

The Bible tells us that's exactly how it is with sin.

 

Many people think they're doing fairly well because they compare themselves with other people. They try to be kind, honest, generous, and hardworking. They hope that somehow their good deeds will outweigh the bad.

 

But God doesn't ask us to compare ourselves with one another. He compares us with His perfect holiness.

 

Romans chapter 3 gives us God's diagnosis of the human heart.

 

Verse 10 says, "There is none righteous, no, not one."

 

Verse 11 tells us, "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."

 

And then verse 23 summarizes it perfectly: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

 

Notice that little word "all." It leaves no one out.

 

Every man, every woman, every teenager, every child, we have all sinned. It doesn't matter where we live, how much money we have, or how religious we may be. We all stand guilty before a holy God.

 

Sin isn't merely something we do from time to time.

It's our condition apart from Christ.

 

Because we have a sinful nature, we naturally choose our own way instead of God's way.

 

Now what does it mean to "come short of the glory of God?"

 

Imagine you're standing at the edge of a huge canyon.

One person jumps five feet. Another jumps ten feet. An Olympic athlete jumps twenty-five feet.

 

Who made it across? None of them. Everyone fell short.

 

That's exactly what the Bible teaches. Some people may appear more moral than others, but when compared with God's perfect righteousness, every one of us falls short.

 

That's why no amount of good works can ever save us.

 

• We can't attend church enough.

• We can't give enough money.

• We can't be kind enough.

• We can't be religious enough.

 

Good works are important, but they can never erase our sin.

 

The wonderful news is that God didn't leave us without hope.

 

In fact, the very next verse, Romans 3:24, says we are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

God knew we could never save ourselves, so He provided the only perfect solution.

 

Jesus Christ came into this world, lived a completely sinless life, willingly went to the cross, took our punishment upon Himself, shed His precious blood for our sins, was buried, and three days later rose again victorious over sin and death.

 

That's the Gospel.

 

The Apostle Paul explains it beautifully in Ephesians 2:8–9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

 

Notice those words—by grace... through faith... not of works.

 

Salvation is God's gift.

 

• You can't buy it.

• You can't earn it.

• You simply receive it by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

 

If salvation depended on our goodness, none of us could ever be sure we had done enough.

 

But because salvation depends on God's grace and Christ's finished work on the cross, we can have confidence in His promise.

 

Maybe today you've been trying to earn God's acceptance. Perhaps you've hoped that if you were just a little better, God would accept you.

 

Friend, God doesn't ask you to make yourself worthy.

 

He invites you to come to Jesus just as you are.

 

Turn from trusting yourself and place your trust completely in Him.

 

The Bible gives this wonderful promise in Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

If you've never done that, today can be the day your life changes forever.

 

And if you're already a believer, I hope today's reminder causes you to worship the Lord with fresh gratitude.

 

Never lose sight of what God has saved you from.

 

The more we understand the depth of our sin, the more we marvel at the greatness of God's grace.

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If you have never received the Lord Jesus into your life and never had your sins forgiven, will you trust Him today? Contact me if you want to talk more about this at pastorprbedford@gmail.com 

 

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please contact me so I can pray for you and help you in your new lifes journey.

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