There Is No Difference
There Is No Difference
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed
by the Law and the Prophets.
Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe.
For there is no difference,
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
(Romans 3.21-24).
These are such pivotal verses that Martin Luther stated: ” Note that here is the very center
and kernel of the Epistle and of all Scripture.”
There is no difference. There is no distinction. Men, women, young, old, rich, poor, skinny,
fat, of all walks of life, every tribe, ethnicity, nation and origin need this message. St. Paul
understood that once God’s righteousness eclipses every other form of righteousness, this
message is universal, because it is for everyone. That’s why it is universal and it is about the
Kingdom of God. There can be no separation. There can be distinction. There is no discrimination.
God’s love is for everyone. God’s Kingdom is for the entire world. There can be no geographic,
cultural or ethnic barriers. Commenting on God’s righteousness has to start with noting the
unrighteousness of men. That’s why St. Paul states: “There is no difference, for all all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God.”
We all have this in common. We all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God. We also have
in common the grace of God which is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
We all share in the unity of falling short of the glory of God. We also share in the grace of God through
His Son. We are reconciled to God while we were His enemies. We must first understand the alienation
and anti- God position which sinners (all mankind) have. We must also understand that Jesus Christ,
Who is fully God and fully Man has reconciled us. He has made peace between God and us all.
We must have no illusion about human nature and human accomplishments. We must be very open
about the clear and always present evidence of human failure to measure up. It makes no difference
and there is no difference who, what or where we are. We all fall short of the glory of God.
But it also makes no difference how worthy or unworthy we think we are. We all are atoned for.
We all have to repent and receive the gift of God, His most gracious invitation to enter His Kingdom.
HALLELUJAH! PRAISE, HONOR, GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!