For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:23–24

I am certain the former verse has been cited to everyone reading. It is used to demonstrate that everyone has failed to make the mark God has set. For those of us in the church, we say all are sinners.

It is one of the most disheartening things to encounter, by the time we understand clearly, we know the reality that each of us has already missed the mark set by God. Yet that is the truth being declared.

In the wake of what appears to be stultifying judgment comes the next thought. The same folks that have already fallen short… Are being justified freely. Meaning, that they are treated as if the offense didn’t happen. (It doesn’t mean that the offense did not happen, just that the penalty for the offense is delayed.

What is being offered here is clear. Jesus died sufficiently and efficiently for those that have fallen short. That’s what He did at the cross. That freedom comes to all, believers or not.

But… There’s always a but… What Jesus did at the cross isn’t about eternity. It’s about physical existence now… When you decide your eternity.

The cross alone gets nobody to heaven. It provides a “day of salvation.” That is, time to consider reality and repent. Repent means to change direction.

When confronted with the fact that Jesus died for your own shortcomings, what do you do?

You could ignore it, shun it, mock it, or whatever. Clearly, you have that freedom. Freedom came at a great cost to Jesus.

Or you could use that delay as a time to change your mind. You could believe that what He did is for you. (And it is because you’re alive right now reading this.) You could confess it aloud to Jesus. Then confess your sins to Him, and receive the gift of eternal life.

It’s clear from the context that Jesus did indeed die efficiently for all, believer and unbeliever alike. But what will you do with the freedom Jesus gave you?