23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Undeniable Guilt

Romans 3:23 is the universal statement about the condition of all people outside of Christ. As we studied Barabbas's life this week (Matthew 27:15-26) we saw a picture of our guilt before a Holy God. Romans 3:23 lays out this reality explicitly. Let's work through verse together phrase by phrase.The first clause of verse 23 tell us, "For all have sinned"

• Paul explains that there is "no distinction" (Romans 3:22) between human beings because all have sinned. Regardless of your spiritual or ethical heritage, all human beings are in the same boat. Paul is making it as plain as possible, the Greek phrase is literally "all sinned" (πάντες ἥμαρτον; pantes hermarton). Sin is our nature, it is what comes most naturally to us, to choose the way apart from God. It is worth noting that Adam and Eve, our first parents, lived this out first. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil not because they were hungry, but because they were arrogant. Similarly, we think we know better than God does, so we choose our own way. This heritage of Adam and Eve is fundamental to what it means that "all have sinned."

The second clause of verse 23 states, "and fall short"

• The "falling short" that Paul describes here is a consequence of "all have sinned." "Falling short" (hystereo; ὑστεροῦνται) is a present passive verb stressing continual action. Paul is communicating that all people are regularly and continually falling short. Sin a matter of our nature first, then of our action. As a result of our sinful nature, we fall short time and time again.

The final clause of verse 23 states, "of the glory of God."

• Glory in the Bible typically refers to the magnificent presence of God. It is his splendor, the out-workings of His attributes. God's desire and design for us is share in that splendor and to subsequently become like Him! Yet it is our sin nature, and and our continual sin that keeps us from living in this reality!

So what are we supposed to do with this:

1. We must accept this truth: We have sinned. We fundamentally are turned away from God. Our nature is on a train that is heading away from God. God is calling us to get off that train and board a train that is heading towards God.
2. We must accept this truth: The problem is not "out there", it is "in us." Bruce Frank says it this way, "If you're more upset about sin in others than sin in the mirror, something is wrong".
3. We must embrace this truth: We were made to live in and for the glory of God. We were made to know him and make him known. As we trust Christ may we pursue this end!