We All Fall Short

As we continue in the series “Following Jesus,” we will explore what it means to be righteous in the eyes of God. Before we dig deeper into today’s topic, let’s pray and invite the Holy Spirit into this time of learning and self-reflection.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the love and grace You extend to me each and every day. There are so many questions I have about what You want from me, and how I should live my life. But one thing I believe without question – You love me, even through all my sinful behavior and stumbling to follow You. I am so grateful to have You in my life. Amen.

Romans 3:21-28 (NLT)
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

When I was a child, I remember times when I misbehaved and disappointed my parents with my actions or words. I remember feeling guilty because of what I had done, and sad that my parents were disappointed in me. I would try to get back into their good graces by doing extra chores, or by being extra good for a period of time. It was a feeble attempt to regain favor with them after my poor behavior. Do you remember a time when you tried to get back into someone’s good graces after having done something to hurt or disappoint them? Were they receptive?

Sometimes, my attempts to earn their trust and overcome their disappointment in me would work. Other times, my efforts simply fell short, and what I really needed to do was own my poor behavior and provide a heartfelt apology, with the promise that I would never repeat my actions.
As parents, they always forgave me when I showed true remorse, because they loved me and had faith in me. Do you see the difference between attempts to earn forgiveness, versus having the courage to admit mistakes and show a desire to change behavior?

By believing and putting our faith in Jesus, we have become righteous in the eyes of God. Not because we earned it; no, far from it. There is nothing we could do in the eyes of God to earn our way into His kingdom. But if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, and accept that God sees us as righteous through the immeasurable sacrifice of the blood of Jesus, we can be assured that the grace of God will be extended to us.  

Spend some time today and throughout this week thinking about what it means to be righteous in the eyes of God. As you process today’s message, spend some time in prayer, and let the presence of the Holy Spirit guide and comfort you. If you need help getting started with your prayer, don’t hesitate to use one of the prompts provided.

Father, I believe in Jesus, and that through His supreme sacrifice, I have been made whole…

Lord, please instill in me a desire to help others understand they can be counted among the righteous by accepting Jesus and His incomparable gift…

I pray that you pursue, and accept by faith, the grace God grants you through the blood of Jesus.