Remember Who We Are #24

Romans 3:23 is one of those short, well-known verses that we quote often, but rarely in its context:
 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

We rightly use Romans 3:23 to point out that all of us are sinners before a righteous and holy God; none of us can claim an exemption. But just like sin is "one-size-fits-all," the whole point of this passage is to show that there is only one way to be right before God - to be justified and made righteous, and that is by God's grace through faith in Christ.  For those of us who have put our faith in Him, we are justified - not only seen as righteous in Christ - but made righteous.  That changes everything when we stand before Him. It changes how we look at ourselves, at other believers, and even at God Himself.  He looks better than ever.