For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Romans 3:23-26

Dear God, when I was a senior in high school, my youth minister had some of us memorize three passages: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and Romans 10:9-10. The idea was that we could use these verses to lead someone to faith and discipleship in Jesus. While I learned the passages, come to think of it, I don’t think I ever used them the way he intended.

So this starts with Romans 3:23. All of us have sinned and fallen short of your glorious standard. It’s a great equalizer for me and reminder that I simply need a savior. To quote a Charlie Peacock song, “What’s going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior. This only serves to confirm my suspicion that I’m still a man in need of a savior.

Father, I need you as much now as I did 30 years ago when I first learned this passage. But it’s okay because your gift and sacrifice are still there for me. I can be at peace. Help me to live in that knowledge and to share it with others so that your glory will bring them closer to you and give them peace as well.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen