Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we are going to dive into a message from the book of Romans.

As C.S. Lewis once said, "God does not love us because we are lovable, but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but because He delights to give." And that is precisely what we will be exploring today – the universality of sin, the love of Jesus, and the gift of salvation.

Let's begin by reading Romans 3:23-25 together:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished."

The Universality of Sin

As we delve into the idea of the universality of sin, we must first understand what sin is and how it affects every aspect of our lives.

Sin, in its simplest definition, is any thought, word, or action that goes against God's perfect will and His holy character. It is the result of our human nature, which is inherently flawed and predisposed to rebellion against God.

The Bible is clear that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This means that every person who has ever lived, regardless of their background, upbringing, or personal achievements, has committed sin and is in need of God's forgiveness.

The universality of sin is not a concept meant to condemn or belittle us, but rather to highlight our shared human condition and our desperate need for a Savior.

One aspect of the universality of sin is that it is not limited to specific actions or behaviors. Sin can manifest in various ways, from seemingly minor transgressions to more significant offenses. It can be as subtle as a prideful thought or as blatant as a violent act. The common thread that binds all sin together is that it separates us from God and hinders our relationship with Him.

Another aspect of the universality of sin is that it is not limited to a particular time or place. Throughout history, people from every culture and era have struggled with sin. The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who, despite their best intentions, fell short of God's standard. From the first act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden to the apostle Peter's denial of Jesus, we see that sin is an ever-present reality in the human experience.

The universality of sin also extends to our inability to overcome it through our own efforts. No matter how hard we try or how much we strive to live a righteous life, we will always fall short of God's perfect standard. This is because sin is not merely a series of isolated actions but a condition that permeates our very nature.

As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:18-19, "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."

This realization of our inability to overcome sin on our own can be both humbling and disheartening. It is a reminder that we are not self-sufficient beings who can achieve righteousness through our own efforts. Instead, we are utterly dependent on God's grace and mercy to save us from the consequences of our sin.

Recognizing that we are all sinners in need of God's grace can foster a sense of humility and compassion in our relationships. It can help us to be more understanding and forgiving of the shortcomings of others, knowing that we too have fallen short in various ways. Additionally, the universality of sin can serve as a reminder of our shared humanity and our common need for a Savior, which can be a powerful motivator for sharing the gospel with others.

It is important to note that acknowledging the universality of sin does not mean that we should become complacent in our struggle against it. On the contrary, recognizing our sinful nature should drive us to seek God's help and rely on His strength to overcome our weaknesses. As believers, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) and to put off our old selves and put on the new self, which is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

The Unconditional Love of Jesus

The unconditional love of Jesus is not based on our performance, our goodness, or our ability to earn it ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO