Why All People Are Sinners And Why Jesus Had To Die For Our Sins Romans 3:23 Series

Why All People Are Sinners and Why Jesus Had to Die for Our Sins Romans 3:23

Understanding Human Sinfulness

The concept of sin and the need for redemption are central themes in Christian theology. The Apostle Paul encapsulates the human condition in Romans 3:23 (NLT): "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." This verse succinctly expresses the universal nature of sin. But what does this mean, and why is it significant?

1. The Universality of Sin

Paul's assertion in Romans 3:23 highlights that sin is a universal condition affecting all humanity. Sin, in biblical terms, refers to any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's perfect and holy standard. The Greek word for sin, "hamartia," literally means "to miss the mark." This imagery conveys the idea of missing the target of God's perfection.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NLT): "Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins."

1 John 1:8 (NLT): "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth."

These scriptures reinforce that every person, regardless of their background or intentions, is inherently sinful. Our sin nature is a result of the Fall, as described in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced sin into the world.

Consider a child learning to walk. No matter how hard they try, they will stumble and fall. Similarly, no matter how hard we try to live righteously, we inevitably fall short due to our sinful nature.

John Stott, a renowned Christian theologian, said, "Sin is not only a lawbreaker, but a heartbreak to God." This underscores the relational breach our sins cause between us and our Creator.

The Consequences of Sin

Sin carries severe consequences because it separates us from a holy and just God. The Bible makes it clear that the result of sin is spiritual death.

2. The Wages of Sin

Romans 6:23 (NLT): "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Here, Paul contrasts the consequences of sin with the gift of salvation. The term "wages" implies that death is the earned result of sin. This death is not merely physical but spiritual, signifying eternal separation from God.

Isaiah 59:2 (NLT): "It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore."

This verse from Isaiah emphasizes that sin creates a barrier between us and God, hindering our relationship with Him.

The Hebrew word for "sin" used in Isaiah 59:2 is "chattah," which also means "to miss" or "to fail." This term reinforces the idea that our failures and moral shortcomings alienate us from God.

Imagine a bridge connecting two islands. Sin is like the destruction of this bridge, leaving us stranded and isolated from the other side, representing God.

A.W. Tozer stated, "Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all." This highlights how sin distorts truth and our perception of God’s holiness.

The Necessity of Jesus' Sacrifice

Given the universal and devastating nature of sin, humanity is in desperate need of a saviour. Jesus Christ's death on the cross addresses this need.

3. The Atonement of Christ

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NLT): "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."

Peter explains that our redemption was purchased not with perishable things but with the precious blood of Jesus. This underscores the value and necessity of Christ's sacrifice.

1 John 4:10 (NLT): "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

John 3:16 (NLT): "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

These verses highlight God's love and the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death. The term "sacrifice" in 1 John 4:10 is the Greek word "hilasmos," which means propitiation or atoning sacrifice. This indicates that Jesus' death satisfied the requirements of God's justice, paying the penalty for our sins.

Think of a judge who, after passing a just sentence on a friend for a serious crime, steps down, pays the fine, and takes the punishment on behalf of the friend. This act represents Jesus’ substitutionary atonement.

C.S. Lewis wrote, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God." This captures the transformative purpose of Jesus' sacrificial death.

Conclusion:

In summary, all people are sinners because we fall short of God's perfect standard. Sin separates us from God, leading to spiritual death. Jesus had to die for our sins to bridge this gap, offering us redemption and eternal life. His sacrifice is the ultimate expression of God's love and justice.