For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23, ESV
I have met a few people who seem to think that they are not a part of the “all” in this verse. People who seem to think that they are righteous by their own actions and/or good works. Personally, I find great comfort in this verse. Not that I celebrate sin, but because I am confident in the full forgiveness that I have received through Jesus Christ, my Lord. The sin saddens me, but I no longer have to live in that sin. My past is not a determiner of the future I hold in Christ Jesus, and the same is true for everyone. That is the power of the “all” for me because it is inclusive of every person in history. None of the heroes of faith outside of Jesus Christ have lived a life without the stain of sin. In Christ, all are promised salvation. All there is for us to do is to believe and trust in Him and His promise given to us on the Cross.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.