Look At the Present Tense

In the following passage, we find our hope.

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

In context, it says this is for those who put their faith in Christ Jesus. This applies to all who believe.

Look at the present tense in verse 23, it says we "fall short of the glory of God." We always fall short of the glory of God. We know this as we live day by day. Where is there any hope for us?

It is found in verse 24: "and all are justified freely by His grace..."

We are all justified freely by God's grace. How? "through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." 

Because of the redemptive work of Jesus while He was on the Earth, God justifies us with Him. We are no longer guilty of sin because of the finished work of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all on the cross. We are made right with God by His grace, because of the finished work of Jesus, as we put our faith in Jesus.

God's grace sustains us and keeps us because of what Jesus has already done for us.

So, our hope is in the finished work of Jesus that saves us completely, forever for those who put their faith in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 10.)

 Hebrews 10:1-17 NIV

[1] The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. [2] Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. [3] But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. [4] It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; [6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. [7] Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ ” [8] First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. [9] Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.

 [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 [11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 

[14] For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 

[15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: [16] “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” [17] Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

So, although we always fall short of the glory of God, He saves us by His grace because of the finished work of Jesus once and for all.

Thank you Father! Thank you Jesus!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post