FOR ALL HAVE SINNED

PROCLAMATION

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul.  He begins this chapter by continuing the discussion regarding Jews and Gentiles that he began in the previous chapter.  He states that the Jews were given The Word of God (Roman 3:2) and they were God’s chosen people.  However, after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, all who believe in Him are justified and through faith in Him there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.  Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all need redemption through Christ.

 

APPLICATION

All of us, each and every one of us, have sinned. (Romans 3:10 and 3:23)  The penalty for our sin is death and eternal separation from The Lord God. (Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:12-15)  However, Jesus, The Christ, who was without sin, paid the penalty for our sins with His death on the cross and all who believe in Him and His birth, life, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection will be deemed righteous and be given eternal life. (John 3:16)  By His sacrificial atonement on Calvary and the shedding of His blood, Christ died in our place so that we might have the opportunity for salvation.  If we confess Him with our mouth and believe in Him in our heart, we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10) and our ethnicity or nationality will not matter. 

 

 

CHRIST IS NOT OF THIS WORLD AND NEITHER ARE BELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“Once more Jesus said to them, ‘I am going away, and … Where I go, you cannot come.’ … But He continued, ‘You are from below; I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world.’”  John 8:21-23 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  John begins this chapter with Jesus, The Christ, in the temple in Jerusalem teaching when the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.  They recounted the law to Him and then asked Him what His opinion was, so that they could trap Him and have a basis for accusing Him.  If He agreed with the law of Moses, they would accuse Him to the Roman governor for taking it upon Himself to condemn a person to death.  If He disagreed with the law of Moses, they would accuse Him to the Jewish people as being an enemy of Moses.  Jesus did neither and said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)  Being convicted by their conscience, those who brought the woman left, (John 8:9) and Jesus resumed teaching.  However, the Pharisees within the crowd in the temple challenged Him with respect to His authority. (John 8:13)  In His explanation of who He was, Jesus said that He was not of this world. (John 8:23)  Later, He told them that they were children of the devil and not of God. (John 8:44-47)  They claimed to be the children of Abraham and asked Jesus if He was greater than Abraham. (John 8:52-53)  To this Jesus responded, “Before Abraham was, I Am!” (John 8:58)  Hearing this, they picked up stones in order to stone Jesus, but He slipped away passing through the midst of them. (John 8:59)

 

APPLICATION

Here are four of the many points to remember that are presented in this chapter.  First, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.  The reason that the people who accused the woman of adultery could not stone her was because all of them were guilty of sin themselves. (John 8:7-9)  We should not go around accusing others of sinning when we are guilty of sinning ourselves, although maybe of committing a different sin.  Secondly, as believers we have The Holy Spirit of God within us; and since God is not of this world, we are not of this world.  We are just strangers here passing through on our way to our home in heaven.  Thirdly, the devil is a liar and the truth is not in him.  He is the father of lies. (John 8:44)  It is not Christ-like to tell a lie or to intentionally deceive others.  Fourthly, the people of God hear the voice of God. (John 8:47)  We recognize and know His voice, (John 10:27) even if we do not always obey it. 

  

 

WHO ARE WE TO QUESTION GOD?

PROCLAMATION

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand.”  Job 38:4 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Job’s friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar speak a second and third time continuing to insist that he has sinned, and Job replies to each of them and continues to maintain that he is innocent. (Job 15:1 through 31:40)  A crowd had gathered around them and was listening to their discourse.  After the men had stopped speaking, a young man from the crowd, Elihu, began to speak. (Job 32:1-2)  He was angry because the three friends had failed to answer Job although they had stated many things which were true. (Job 32:4-22)  He asked Job to listen to him and consider what he had to say. (Job 33:1 to 37:24)  After he spoke, The Lord God spoke to Job out of a storm and began to ask Job a series of questions. (Job 38:1 to 41:34)  This is one of the questions which God asked Job.

APPLICATION

It is not our place to question God.  What right does the clay pot have to question the pot maker.  With our very limited capacity for understanding, we would never be able to comprehend why The Lord God does what He does even if He would choose to answer us.  People frequently ask, “Why me, Lord?”  To which I would respond, “Why not you?”  What makes us think that we are so special that we should not have to endure suffering and trouble?  Every man born of a woman will live a life full of trouble. (Job 14:1)  We are conceived and born in sin (Psalm 51:5) and therefore on our own we cannot be righteous. (Job 15:14)  We are justified through the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9) and it is through Him that we are redeemed. (Ephesians 1:7)  So, let us not try to adopt a “holier than thou” attitude because we are all sinners, some of whom are saved by the grace of God.

PUNISHED FOR THE SINS OF OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS

PROCLAMATION

“Then the word of The Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ‘Have you noticed how Ahab humbled himself before me?  Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.’”  1 Kings 21:28-29 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Near the palace of king Ahab there was a vineyard which belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite.  Ahab wanted this vineyard for a vegetable garden but Naboth would not sell it to him. (1 Kings 21:1-3)  This saddened and angered Ahab.  When his wife Jezebel found out about this, she plotted to kill Naboth so that Ahab could have the vineyard. (1 Kings 21:4-14)  After Naboth’s death Ahab took possession of the vineyard.  Then the word of The Lord came to Elijah telling him to go Ahab, king of Israel who ruled in Samaria, and tell him that in the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will also lick up his blood. (1 Kings 21:17-19)  The Lord God was going to bring disaster on him and wipe out all of his descendants.  His wife would be devoured by dogs along with all those who belong to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds will feed on those who die in the fields. (1 Kings 21:21-26)  When Ahab heard this, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, fasted, and went around meekly. (1 Kings 21:27)  Then The Lord told Elijah that because Ahab humbled himself, He would not bring the disaster during his lifetime but during the life of his son.

APPLICATION

Most of us do not like to hear about the sins of our parents.  However, as difficult as it is to hear this, the truth is that some of the problems that we face today may be part of the punishment for the sins of our parents and/or our grandparents.  The Lord God said that He would punish the guilty, and their children to the third and fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7)  Sin will be punished although we will not lose our salvation because of it.  All we can do is pray and do our best to walk in the ways of The Lord and know that He is a merciful God.

BELIEVERS MUST WALK IN THE LIGHT NOT IN DARKNESS

Proclamation:

“If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”  1 John 1:6-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to all who believed in Jesus, The Christ.  He begins this letter by stating that he heard, saw, and touched Christ, and he was sharing what he saw and heard with them. (1 John 1:1-4)  He said that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)  Those who claim to walk with Him but walk in darkness are liars.  He also said that those who claim to be without sin also lie and deceive themselves. (1 John 1:8 and 10)  Then he said, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Application:

We cannot walk with Christ and hold hands with the devil.  We cannot serve to masters. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  Some people do no like to hear this, but all of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23)  If we say that we, or anybody else that we know, have not sinned, then we are lying.  On our own, none of us is righteous. (Romans 3:10)  All of us should admit that we have sinned, then we should pray and ask to be forgiven, and He will forgive us. (1 John 1:9)

WE ARE TO FORGIVE AND COMFORT OTHERS

Proclamation:

“If anyone has caused grief … not to put it too severely … you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”  2 Corinthians 2:5-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Here Paul addresses the forgiveness of an offender.  He said that if a brother offends them, they should forgive him and comfort him.  They should also reaffirm their love for him. (2 Corinthians 2:8)  Rejecting him could cause him to be overwhelmed and they should restore him to the fellowship.

Application:

Forgiveness is very important in the life of a believer.  Here Paul encourages us to forgive a brother who has caused us grief.  However, he also states that we should forgive a brother who has messed up in other ways. (Galatians 6:1)  Remember, we all have sinned in the past and were in need of forgiveness. (Romans 3:23)  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Christ, said that we are to forgive those who have done us wrong.  He said if we do not forgive others, then we will not be forgiven of our sins. (Mark 11:26)  Having an unforgiving spirit is not Christ-like. 

FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD

Proclamation:

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul.  He begins this chapter by continuing the discussion regarding Jews and Gentiles that he began in the previous chapter.  He states that the Jews were given The Word of God (Roman 3:2) and they were God’s chosen people.  However, after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, all who believe in Him are justified and through faith in Him there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.  Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all need redemption through Christ.

Application:

All of us, each and every one of us, have sinned. (Romans 3:10 and 3:23)  The penalty for our sin is death and eternal separation from The Lord God. (Romans 6:23 and Revelation 20:12-15)  However, Jesus, The Christ, who was without sin, paid the penalty for our sins with His death and all who believe in Him and His birth, life, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection will be deemed righteous and be given eternal life. (John 3:16)  By His sacrificial atonement on Calvary and the shedding of His blood, Christ died in our place so that we might have the opportunity for salvation.  If we confess Him with our mouth and believe in Him in our heart, we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10) and our ethnicity or nationality will not matter. 

Do Not Think Too Highly Of Yourself

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."  Romans 12:3 (NIV)

In his letter to the believers in Rome, the Apostle Paul encouraged them not to think of themselves more highly than they ought to.  Rather he said that they should think of themselves while using sound judgment.

All too often we think much more highly of ourselves than we ought to think.  We tend to have an 
over inflated self image.  We tend to exaggerate our good points and we understate our faults.  We should look at ourselves honestly and judge our own words and behavior.  If we ever told a lie, then we are liars.  If we ever took something that did not belong to us, then we are thieves.  If we ever thought about killing some one, then we are murderers.  If we ever thought about having sex with some one other than our spouse, then we are adulterers and fornicators.  Our sinful thoughts count as sins just as our sinful behavior. (Matthew 5:28)  We are all sinners, (Romans 3:23), some of us have just been saved from the penalty of sin by the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8)  Let us not be so quick to condemn others who happen to sin differently than we do.  We all need to confess our sins to The Lord, and ask to be forgiven.  We all need His help in order for us to choose to sin less.  The devil does not make us sin, we choose to sin.  It is only with the help of The Lord that we will be able to choose wisely and live a more Christ-like life.

We Have Sinned Against God

"I said, 'O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against You."  Psalms 41:4 (NIV)

King David uttered and recorded this brief prayer to The Lord God.  David knew that he was a sinner, although he did not identify exactly which of his sins he was referring to in this case.  However, he admitted that he had sinned, and he knew that the sin was a sin against God.  He asked for God's help to heal his sin sick soul, and he asked God to have mercy on him, and not to give him the punishment that he deserved.

As believers, we need to understand that we are still sinners. (Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:10)  All unrighteousness is sin. (1 John 5:17)  If whatever we did or said did not give God glory, then it was a sin.  It is also important for us to realize that we may do wrong to our brother, but all sin is a sin against God. (Psalms 51:4 and 1 Corinthians 8:12)  The penalty for sin is death. (Romans 6:23)  However, Christ took our place and died for our sins. (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Galatians 1:4, and 1 John 2:2)  And, if we confess our sins, The Lord God will forgive us of our sins. (1 John 1:9)  If we want God's mercy and forgiveness, we have to ask for it.

By Sin Man Fell From The Grace Of God

"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned ..."  Romans 5:12 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul, the Christian persecutor turned preacher, wrote to the believers in Rome and told them that it was because to the voluntary transgression of one man in the Garden of Eden that sin entered into the world. (Genesis 3:1-24)  Death also entered then because the penalty for sin is death. (Genesis 3:3 and Romans 6:23)  Since all men have sinned, all men must pay the penalty of sin which is death. (Romans 3:23)  

Just as sin and death entered the world through the transgression of one man, so then by the grace of God did the gift of righteousness and salvation enter into the world by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ. (Romans 5:17)  Jesus died so that we might be saved. (John 3:17, Acts 4:12, and Romans 10:9)  By His death, burial, and resurrection, He who knew no sin, paid the price for our sins. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Jesus paid it all for us, He died in our place, and for that we owe Him a debt that we cannot repay.  That alone should be reason enough to give Him all praise, honor, and glory.  He is worthy of our worship.