…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus – Romans 3:23-24
Have you ever caught yourself comparing your sins to someone else’s? We often like to believe our wrongs are “not as bad” as others. But before God, every sin matters the same, and every one of us stands in need of His grace.
All Sin Is Against God
It is true that sins carry different consequences in this world. A lie about missing work is far less damaging than taking a life. The hurt caused, the ripple effects, and the years of pain are not equal. God is not dismissing those differences when He calls us all sinners. Instead, He reminds us that every sin, whether large or small in human eyes, is ultimately an offense against Him. When we sin, we sin against God Himself.
Equal in Our Guilt
When we measure sins to see which is worse, it is usually to excuse ourselves. Yet God makes it clear that all sin falls short of His holiness. Jesus even said that if we insult someone, we are guilty of murder in our hearts, and if we look at someone with lust, we are guilty of adultery. By His standard, none of us escape guilt. We can stop comparing and instead acknowledge the truth: every one of us needs forgiveness.
Equal in God’s Forgiveness
As equal as we are in our guilt, we are also equal in God’s offer of mercy. No matter what we have done, God extends salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This isn’t about questioning whether certain people could be forgiven to make ourselves feel better. It is about asking the deeper questions: Am I a sinner? Do I need God’s forgiveness? Has God offered His grace to me? The answer is yes. His grace is for all who believe.
God’s Amazing Grace
We have all fallen short, but we are all equally loved. Through Christ, every person has the opportunity to be forgiven and welcomed into God’s family. No matter who you are or what your past holds, His grace is enough. That is the hope we cling to and the joy we proclaim—God’s grace is truly amazing.