All men and women have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

This is one thing we all have in common and in this we have to agree.

Humans do not have the glory of God. When we exalt ourselves we

shall be abased. On the contrary when we abase ourselves we shall be

elevated. The problem of sin plagues all mankind. The problem of sin

is widespread and pervasive. The forgiveness of sin is only possible

on the basis of faith. The problem of faith is in believing what is unseen.

That is why Jesus Christ has said: ” Blessed are they that have not seen

and yet believed.” Recognizing that apart from the fact of faith there is

no escape is a clear-headed appraisal of the human condition. The grace

of God is manifested in that while we were yet sinners Jesus Christ died

for us instead of us.

Recognizing that we all need God’s forgiveness is not a pessimistic assessment,

a depressing thought, a sense of deep regret or remorse, a foreboding or

dejected state of mind. It is a simple statement of fact. Regardless of how good,

kind, charitable, helpful, spiritual or obedient we are, the simple fact remains that

all have sinned, there is none good, no, not one. All have sinned and all have come

short of the glory of God. Because of this rich and poor, wise and foolish, fat and skinny,

young and old of any nation all share in the same quality of sinfulness, therefore are

pronounced guilty. The good news, indeed the Best News Ever announces God’s love

and goodness towards us. The only way to be saved is by God’s grace. His grace is

expressed in Jesus Christ on the cross. He has conquered sin and death once and for all.

HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU LORD JESUS!