Don’t Be Caught Short: Stay in His Presence

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23

What does this verse say to you? How do you feel when you read this? Some may read this and see it as justification for their wrongdoing. They say to themselves, “See! Everyone does wrong so I don’t have to change.” But Jesus wants us to feel the exact opposite of that. He wants us to read this and say, “I don’t want to sin anymore. I never want to come short of God’s glory or presence.” Jesus wants us to decide to quit hurting God with our choices and instead follow his ways to freedom, which is the glory of God. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” God sent his son here to show us his glory so we may follow that glory to life. Jesus is the only way back to our Father in Heaven. If Jesus is the glory, this verse should tell us that sinning makes us fall short of being like Jesus. And we can’t have salvation without living like Jesus. Fight sin in your life. Let this verse be a wake-up call. Don’t let the devil keep deceiving you with this being an excuse for your actions. The devil knows the Bible. He knows you must be like Jesus to have salvation. He knows that sinning keeps you from being like Jesus. He knows sin keeps you from the glory of God. Expose the devil in your life! Wake up and tell him “No, I am not going to do that anymore. No, I am not going to think that way anymore. No, I will not be negative anymore. No, I will not hurt anyone anymore.” Quit justifying sin in your life because God’s Word has never told you to do that. He said “Be holy because I am Holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) He tells us whoever claims to be a Christian must walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:6). Must! You must do as Jesus did. If Jesus wouldn’t do it, then don’t do it! It’s the only way to salvation. The devil can turn this scripture all around. But he is just doing that so he can have his will. And his will is death for you. Walk in the truth and you will have freedom from death. God’s will for you is good, with a prosperous future. So stand in his glory, don’t get caught falling short of it.