The Bible is one complete story of good news. However, it is sometimes awkward to quote a verse that may not be particularly pleasing to hear. Romans 2:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
A preacher saw three boys and a dog standing along a dirt road. He approached the group and asked the boys what they were doing. The oldest explained that they were telling one another lies and that the one who could tell the biggest lie would win the dog.
The preacher jumped right in with a 10-minute sermon about lying. He told the boys that it was a sin to lie. He ended the scolding with “when I was your age, I never told a lie.”
The youngest boy spoke up and told the other guys, “Go ahead. Go ahead and give him the dog.”
The truth is that we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 does not sound like a pleasant detail until the good news is added in the next verse. Romans 3:24 is the good news; we are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Consider scripture as a complete story of good news with a gift for all.
Donna Avera is the founder of “KneeMail, sharing God’s love stories through print.” She is a Rincon resident and Director of Children & Youth at Goshen UMC. Her email address is kneemail@windstream.net.