Romans 2:1 “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.”
I love this verse because it places each of us on the same plane. The bottom line and end of story truth is that we are all sinners! This is the truth… I am a sinner and have no justification towards pointing out the errors of others.
“Wait a minute... I don’t hate-God and I am not unmerciful, and I am trustworthy…” This is what some would argue. However… the point isn’t the exactness of your sinful traits compared with others… sin holds an all inclusive list in ways we all miss the mark. Regardless of where you miss the mark, it is still sin.
This is why in Romans 3:23 it says, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
Friends like it or not murder and gossip both equally the same thing… sin! Unforgiveness and immorality… sin! Prostitution and cheating… sin! You get the point? It doesn’t matter what your sinful actions are… we are all guilty of sin.
I have had the privilege of traveling through the years and I have breathed oxygen in Israel, Serbia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Belgium, France and of course the United States. It didn’t matter which country I was in, it was always and only oxygen.
You can try to make yourself feel better by saying to yourself, “Well I have never committed adultery.” “I have never killed anyone.” I have never stolen any money.” "I have never looked at pornography.” "I have never lied.” "I have never cheated.” "I have never gossiped.” "I have never…," and you can fill in your own blank, it doesn’t matter. It is all sin!
So, we are all on an equal and even playing field. We are all guilty of one thing sin. Therefore, stop comparing yourself and stop puffing yourself up. You, like me, are a sinner. Though earthly consequence may vary accordingly, the eternal consequence for sin is all the same.
Just as we are all guilty of sin, the remedy for each of us is equally the same. The only remedy for you and for me is the saving grace of Jesus Christ. His unconditional act of love on the cross where He took your place and mine is more than sufficient to take care of all of our sin.
1 Peter 3:18 “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.”
So what can you do to receive this forgiveness and to have your sin taken care of once and for all?
Romans 10:9-10 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. “
There you have it. This is equally Good News for all of us. We have all sinned, yet every last one of us can be forgiven of that sin by placing our faith in Christ and confessing Him as our Lord and Savior.
What in the world are you waiting for?
