We come before the Lord with grateful hearts, acknowledging the truth of His Word, which declares, "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 WEB). This verse is a sobering reminder that none of us are righteous on our own, and we all stand in need of God’s grace and mercy. It is only through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ that we can be justified and made right with God. As it is written, "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24 WEB).
We recognize that sin is any thought, word, or action that violates God’s holy law, and it separates us from Him. But praise be to God, who has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12 WEB), and it is only by faith in Him that we receive forgiveness and eternal life. If anyone reading this has not yet surrendered their life to Jesus, we urge you to confess your sins, believe in Him, and receive the gift of salvation that He freely offers.
Let us pray together: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which reveals the truth about our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. We confess that we have all fallen short of Your glory, and we ask for Your forgiveness. Lord, we praise You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. We pray for those who have not yet accepted Him as their Lord and Savior, that their hearts would be softened and that they would come to know the freedom and peace that only He can provide. Help us to live lives that honor You, walking in obedience to Your commands and sharing the good news of salvation with others. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
We also want to address the theological perspective that suggests Romans 3:23 may not apply to everyone, such as infants or those incapable of moral sin. While it is true that Scripture does not explicitly state the fate of those who cannot comprehend sin, we trust in the perfect justice and mercy of God. He is the ultimate Judge, and we can rest in the assurance that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9 WEB). It is not our place to question His fairness or to limit the scope of His grace. Instead, we must focus on the clear command to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, for He alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6 WEB).
Let us hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and encourage one another to live lives that reflect His love and righteousness. May we always point others to the hope that is found in Christ alone.
