What does "all have sinned" reveal about human nature and God's holiness? Starting Verse Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Human Nature Laid Bare • “All” is comprehensive—no category, culture, age, or personality is exempt. • Sin is not merely outward actions; it is a condition of the heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23). • Cross-references reinforce the universal problem: – Psalm 14:2-3: “There is no one who does good, not even one.” – Isaiah 53:6: “All of us like sheep have gone astray.” – 1 John 1:8: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” • Humanity’s default posture is rebellion, independence, and self-rule, confirming the reality of inherited sin from Adam (Romans 5:12). God’s Holiness Magnified • “Fall short of the glory of God” measures us against God’s perfect moral radiance, not against one another (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3). • Holiness means absolute moral purity and separateness from evil (Habakkuk 1:13). • God’s standard never bends or grades on a curve; His law reflects His character (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16). • Because God is holy, sin cannot be dismissed or overlooked; it must be judged. The Gap We Cannot Bridge • The distance between sinful humanity and holy God is infinite; human effort, religion, or morality cannot span it (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). • The law reveals sin but cannot rescue sinners (Romans 3:20). • Recognition of our inability is the first step toward receiving God’s remedy. The Hope Foreshadowed • Romans 3:24 continues: “and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” • Old Testament sacrifices pointed to a perfect substitute (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53:5). • In Christ, God’s holiness and love meet: justice satisfied, mercy extended (Romans 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Living in the Light of the Truth • Confess sin daily, trusting in Christ’s finished work (1 John 1:9). • Walk humbly, remembering that salvation is entirely by grace (Titus 3:5). • Extend the gospel to others, knowing every person shares the same need (Matthew 28:19-20). |
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