All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God

Martin Luther famously declared, "Justification is the article upon which the church stands or falls." While we might quibble with brother Martin over which doctrine is supreme, the fact is, that the article of what we commonly refer to as "justification by faith alone" is an indispensable doctrine of the true gospel. We can, therefore, shout a hearty amen to John Calvin's similar sentiment when he said that, "Justification by faith is the hinge on which all true religion turns." Sola Fide – Faith Alone – is also central to the inspired apostle's doctrine in our text today. We have already encountered it in chapter 1, verse 17, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.'" We will continue to encounter this doctrine as we work through the book, but it is at this point where the transition begins. The divine solution to the problem of sin in mankind which is universally condemned is now revealed; "…all have sinned…justified freely by His grace…through faith…to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Verses 23 through 26) – Pastor Schlegel