Redemption Required

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)

We all feel the weight and effects of sin in the world. Pain, sickness, war, unrest, broken relationships, and our own shortcomings are a part of day-to-day life.

Since that very first rebellion in the Garden of Eden, we have been in desperate need of redemption. God has both promised and provided that redemption for us!

With Christmas approaching, we have an opportunity to look forward to a joyful season and to look back and remember the reason for our joy!

In the Garden of Eden, it did not take long for Adam and Eve to disobey God, and if we were honest with ourselves, any of us would have likely done the same. But the joyful news is that God didn’t leave us in that state! As early as Genesis 3:15, God promised to send a Redeemer and he did exactly that! Although Romans 3:23 is a hard reminder of our fallen state, it doesn’t end there.

Paul says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24).

As we wait, prepare for and look forward to the Christmas season, let us also look back with joy on the gift of grace that we have in Christ Jesus our Redeemer!