No. 339 - Man's Need for Salvation

The Gospel of Christ

Man's Need for Salvation

Romans 3:23 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Starting Prayer 

Heavenly Father, as I come before You today, I acknowledge my need for Your wisdom and understanding. Open my heart to fully grasp the weight of sin and the need for Your salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Background 

Romans 3 is part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, where he discusses the universal presence of sin and the need for God's righteousness. The verse we focus on today, Romans 3:23, reminds us that every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. This verse is key to understanding our need for salvation, and it begins our theme for this week, "The Gospel of Christ."

Be Encouraged 

The problem of sin is one that affects every single person. Sin means missing the mark of God’s perfect will, and it separates us from God. The Bible teaches us that sin begins in the heart, with thoughts that go against God’s will. Whether through doing what we know we shouldn't or failing to do what we should, we all find ourselves guilty before God. Even a single sin can place us under condemnation. This is not something to take lightly, for sin has serious consequences both in this life and in the life to come.

The presence of sin is universal, affecting all of us. No one can say they are without sin, as "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). The consequences of sin are severe, leading to both physical and spiritual death. While physical death is a result of Adam’s sin, spiritual death comes from our own personal sins. This spiritual death separates us from God, leaving us in a state of darkness and despair. But the good news is that God has provided a way for us to be saved through Jesus Christ. He offers us hope and a path to salvation, even when we cannot save ourselves.

Application 

Understanding that "all have sinned" should lead us to recognise our desperate need for God’s salvation. The Bible tells us that sin brings death, but through Jesus, we can have eternal life. Consider these words from Ezekiel 18:20: "The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, nor shall the father bear the iniquity of the son.” Also, remember Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Let these truths remind you of the gravity of sin and the greatness of God’s grace.

Invitation 

If you have not yet committed your life to Christ, now is the time to seek His salvation. Visit any nearby church of Christ to be guided in obeying the gospel of Christ. The path to salvation involves faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance from sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of all past sins and your salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). The Lord will add you to His church, where you will continue to learn more about God and put into practice Christ's commandments (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:47). Don’t delay—embrace the gift of salvation today. Share this message with your loved ones, and let the truth of today’s meditation move you to act.

Concluding Prayer 

Dear Lord, I thank You for revealing the truth of my need for Your salvation. Help me to walk in Your light and to share this message with others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

 

Theodore J. Quist 

Evangelist 

Church of Christ 

Abokobi - Accra 

Ghana


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