For all have sinned
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The apostle Paul was writing to the church at Rome regarding the salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, not works of the Old Testament law, but the scripture “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” can be expounded upon by itself, for it speaks volumes by itself.
In the same book of Romans, Paul explains how with the very first man Adam who sinned against God’s commandment in the Garden of Eden not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, so God’s curse of sin passed upon all of Adam’s descendants and his seed, all men, as Paul writes, “for all have sinned.”
Paul wrote about the first Adam and the second Adam, or Christ or “him who was to come” who would die to free all men of their sins.
Romans 5:12-19
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
“By one man’s offence,” meaning Adam, “death reigned by one;” "much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Jesus the Christ is here, the second Adam, God in the flesh, who “by the obedience” to God to die on the cross, “shall many be made righteous.”
So, all men are born under sin. And all men are cursed by God to die for that sin, both a physical death and spiritual death, or the separation from God.
All men, therefore, “come short of the glory of God.”
1st Corinthians15:21-22
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
From Adam to Israel, the children of Israel, sin reigned on all, but the children of Israel received the law and thus had added to their sin they were born into, a double portion, as it were, for they were the only people on the earth who received the law of God and failure to obey the Old Testament law resulted in sin.
1st Corinthians 15:56-57
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Both sins of being born of the Adamic race, the human race, and those who received the law at Mt Sinai and the statutes of the law, and fell from the grace of YHWH Almighty God’s high prefect holy standard of his righteousness.
It was necessary for a holy perfect sacrifice to God to atone for the sins of the Adamic race and the people of Israel, whom God made his holy covenant with.
God had a purpose and plan and in due time Christ came and died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6-11
¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Being justified by the blood of Christ Jesus, those who were cursed and doomed to the wrath of God, are saved.
For before we come to know Jesus, truly believing in the Son of God, we are enemies to God in our sinful shameful state.
But now in Christ Jesus we are reconciled to God through Jesus’ death and his blood shed on the cross, and saved from the wrath of God, which is determined on the sinners separated from God.
So, then all men are equally condemned under their sinful nature. No sin of one person is any worse in the eyes of God than any other sin, for God is Holy and demands holiness and righteousness in his presence. God hates all sin.
Therefore, no man can, by the law, be justified in the sight of God and no amounts of good deeds, or works, can you do to please God.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 3:10-13
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Ephesians 2:7-9
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Clearly, we are saved by the Grace of God, who loved us, yet being sinners, he gave his only Son Jesus the Christ to die on the cross, and that whosoever should believe in the Son of God should have the hope of salvation, and everlasting life, by having their sins forgiven them, and reconciled back to God, redeemed, and imputed righteousness through faith in Jesus.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
If all sins are hated by God, and all sin is removed from us by the death of Jesus, then it does not matter if you are guilty of lying, or cheating, coveting, stealing, killing, abortion, adultery, of being wicked by sexual sins of homosexuality, or prostitution, or rape, even incest and pedophiles.
All these sins are vile in God eyes and all the sins of mankind were atoned on the cross by his Son Jesus.
Jesus bled his precious holy blood for all.
Therefore, as those in Christ we should look down on no man or woman or child who has committed a sin or sins against God, nor should we condemn them as being more sinful more abominable than anyone else, but we equally share the gospel of Christ to bring them to the truth and give them opportunity to know Jesus and be redeemed back to God.
Romans 3:23-26
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Sadly, there seems to be ‘a holier than thou’ attitude among some of the saved in Christ and Christians today who wrongfully look down on the sinners rather than lifting them up to the gospel of Jesus Christ. These Christians simply forget they were once the very same kind of children of disobedience, as the sinners, once before they met Jesus and became in Christ.
Galatians 2:11-13
¶ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
The addition of Christians getting involved with worldly politics has caused much divisiveness to the mission of the Church and its outreach to the lost and sinner.
These political causes cause the lost and sinner to view the Church as nothing more than self-righteous Pharisees that Jesus condemned himself.
One group in particular group that has been targeted and sorely attacked is the Sodomite (LGBTQ) community which has not been shared the gospel of Christ in the proper light, but has become alienated from the gospel because the Christians mix with worldly political viewpoints and policies by conservative politicians who use the Bible and Christianity as a tool to attack others for their own political gain.
Surely, Christians are familiar with the following laws of God.
Deuteronomy 23:17
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
Leviticus 18:22
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 18:23
Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
Leviticus 20:20
And if a man shall lie with his uncle’s wife, he hath uncovered his uncle’s nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
Deuteronomy 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto YHWH thy God.
Realize that all these laws were only given to Israel, and were under the old covenant YHWH made with Israel. Of course, God made a new covenant with Israel of which you, as a Christian, are entered into that covenant through Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mark 14:24
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
2nd Corinthians 3:6
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Being a Sodomite, or homosexual, or a man wearing woman’s cloths and a man acting like a woman, as vile these are in the eyes of God, they are no worse sins than say murder, theft, or having not have done much to sin, but being born into sin. They are all enough to God to separate you from the presence of God.
If this is the case, a vile serial murderer, or one guilty of mass murder, who truly repents of his sins and comes to Christ Jesus will one day be with Jesus in front of his holy throne, and give an account of his life and receive the same reward for his faith in Jesus, forgiveness of his sins.
Why then do we condemn the sinners such as those guilty of abortions and the Sodomite community any more than other sinners, engaging in a worldly political cause against them rather than simply preaching the gospel of Jesus the Christ to them?
Of course, it is important to state that anyone who comes to Christ and continues living in sin will not be in the good grace of God.
Hebrews 10:26-31
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
When we come to true belief in Jesus Christ and repent of our sins to God, and we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, we are changed into a new man or new woman, a new creature in Christ Jesus.
2nd Corinthians 5:14-17
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 ¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
“All things are become new,” therefore he who stole, steals no more, he who murdered, murders no more, he who was a Sodomite, is a Sodomite no more.
Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Romans 12:1-2
¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
If there is no change in the person after coming to Christ, then that person was not saved properly, and likely did not believe in Jesus in full faith.
If this is the case, then even the homosexual can be redeemed back to God through faith in Christ, in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Having said all that we must realize that not everyone who receives the gospel of Jesus will come to the truth, nor do we open the Church to sin or sinful natures for the Body of the Christian holds the very spirit of God, we are the temple.
1st Corinthians 6:9-11
¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1st Corinthians 6:15-20
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Jesus said to enter the kingdom of God we must be humble like as little children.
Mark 10:15
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Jesus also taught that we all must deny our self, or our desires, or our wants if we wish to follow Jesus.
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Therefore, anyone who is prideful, be that white pride, as in racism, or political pride as in “Republican and proud,” nationality pride such as ‘Irish and proud’ or Gay pride, or anyone full of pride of life cannot truly know Jesus or follow a life dedicated to Jesus and his way until they surrender their will to God.
1st John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
So, we can see that as Christian believers in Christ Jesus, we should not attack nor condemn the sinner, but with love, like the love Jesus loved us with, we share the gospel to the sinner and the lost. As is said often “Hate the sin, but love the sinner” and bring them to Christ.
Matthew 5:43-48
¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 9:37-38
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Mark 16:15-16
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This article was chiefly written to those within the Body of Christ.
For those who read this and are now outside of Christ, I invite you now to get to know Jesus.
Do you know Jesus?
He came and died for your sins!
Are you covered by his atoning blood?
Will you repent of your sins to God?
Will you be baptized in his holy name?
There is salvation the name of JESUS!