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There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:22–23
D.L. MOODY
That is one of the hardest truths man has to learn. We are apt to think that we are just a little better than our neighbors, and if we find they are a little better than ourselves, we go to work and try to pull them down to our level. If you want to find out who and what man is, go to the third chapter of Romans, and there the whole story is told “There is none righteous, no, not one…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). All! Some men like to have their lives written before they die. If you would like to read your biography, turn to this chapter, and you will find it already written.
ERWIN LUTZER
The third chapter of Romans is a convicting indictment of the human race. There we find God looking into the human heart and seeing its corruption and capacity for evil.
Ponder that for a moment. What is God’s standard for entry into heaven? It is His own glory and righteousness. Anything less and we will be cast into the lake of fire. We dare not judge ourselves by others, thinking we are better than they; we cannot improve ourselves to reach God’s standard. If we are to be saved, God must give us what we don’t have, namely, the gift of His own righteousness.
The issue is not the depth of our sin but the glorious truth of the wonder of God’s righteousness given to us through Christ. On the cross, Jesus got what He didn’t deserve—our sin. We, in turn, got what we don’t deserve—His righteousness. This is the “great exchange."
PRAYER
Father, thank you for Jesus who bore my sin and gave His righteousness to me when I believed on Him. In Him, I see the glory of God.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What makes it difficult for us to acknowledge that we all fall short of God's standard?
How does recognizing your own sinfulness cultivate humility in your relationship with God and others?