All

I was honestly looking for another verse to write about today, but for some reason this verse stopped me and made me consider the word “all.” This is a verse I put to memory a long time ago as I learned the “Roman Road” as a method of presenting the gospel. Paul used all of the preceding verses in this chapter to make the point that everyone is a sinner. This verse is a summary statement reminding the reader that all of us have sinned. Every one of us has fallen short of God’s glory. This is a very sobering thought as I prepare for worship today.

 

The word “all” reminded me again that I am a sinner. I really don’t like to think about it or acknowledge the fact that I am a sinner. I sin …okay, I said it! I sin and most of the time I just dismiss it hoping that God will miss it or let me slide because it was not a major sin. God does not put sin into categories like I often do. I like to think I am better because I am not out there committing the BIG sins. God sees sin as anything I do to interfere with Him receiving all of the glory for Himself in my life. Any sin in my life, big or small, hinders my relationship with Him.

 

As a believer in Christ, there is another application in this verse. If all have sinned, and sin separates us from a relationship with God … I probably should open my mouth more and tell others how to be free from sin and how to have a relationship with Christ. I have to live in a way that identifies my life with Christ. I do this only for God’s glory.

 

God, I begin today acknowledging to You that I sin. I don’t want to do anything today that would take away from Your glory. I give You my life today and pray that You will guide my steps away from sin and guide them toward people that need a relationship with You. Open my mouth with words that will lead people to You. In the busyness of today, help me to be aware of the lost people around me and the responsibility that I have to share Jesus with them.