For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Most Christians know this as a stand alone mile marker on the Romans Road of presenting the gospel. In reality, it is but one clause in a typically Pauline sentence as long as I-95. Paul told his audience in Rome that there is no advantage in being a Jewish Christian or a Greek Christian. There is no distinction at all. Jews have sinned. Greeks have sinned. All have sinned. All fall short. This can sound like bad news but it is the first part of the Good News of Jesus Christ. He came to earth to die a criminal’s death because we are criminals. He became sin so we could become sons and daughters. Read all of chapter 3 and you will see that, no matter how many good things we do, we have nothing to boast about except what Jesus did on the cross.
There is a lot of division in America. We accuse instead of excuse, we hoard instead of help, and we shame when we should share love. With midterm elections coming up, remember this. Republicans have sinned. Democrats have sinned. We need community more than ever, we need calm more than ever, and we need Christ more than ever. How refreshing would it be if the first words out of our mouths when greeting others was, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
That would make a great campaign slogan!