19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of Praise! Amen.

— Romans 1:19-23; 25

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

— Romans 3:23-24

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Paul states clearly the reality of sin. In Romans 3:23 he says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In these few words, Paul summarizes humanity’s deepest problem that affects every person, regardless of age, culture or background. Sin isn’t just an abstract concept or a list of bad behaviors. According to Paul sin is a condition, a brokenness of the very core of humanity. Paul begins his letter by painting a vivid picture of humanity’s descent into sin and idolatry in Romans.

Paul describes how people turned away from God, worshiping created things rather than the Creator. This wasn’t just a failure in worship. It was a rebellion against God‘s purpose for humanity. When people worship idols, whether a physical objects, power status or personal freedom, they place something else at the center of their lives instead of God. All explains that this misalignment affects every part of human existence leading to brokenness in relationships, morality and even within ourselves.