"For all have sinned and fell sort of the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus " Romans 3:23 KJV

The OT Hebrew word for sin is "Cheir" (Misiing the mark.) and "khata" (to fail). This is still the state of all people who feel that they will go to heaven based on their own merit.

"If then, when we were enemies or God... " Romans 5:10 KJV

Although the Hebrewa had a sacrificial system of attonement given to them by God as His chosen people, all gentiles were enemies God.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " John 3:16 NIV

When the promised Messiah was born, he fullfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 and fullfilled over 300 more prophecies up to, duriing and after the cross. He lived a sinless human life and was the perfect sacrifice. Even upon the cross, his legs were not broken which was one of the conditions for a suitable blood sacrifice. His redemptve work of the cross has reconciled us to God.

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; " Romans 3:24,25 KJV

Although 2/3 of our global population has no belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus the Chrisst, we all will continue to "miss the mark" until we do believe in and profess Jesus as our Savior and confess each of our sins for forgiveness.

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" Matthew 24:14 KJV

Our present global bussiness, employment opporutnities and immigration brings the people of many nations to every location in America. If you know any of the many non-believer coming in, take the time to tell them about Jesus* and pray that their eyes and ears be opened

*Only 2% of all Christians have presented the gospel to a non-believer who converted to Christianity and only 5% have ever donated specifically to the work of our Missionaries. - The PEW Research Center.

Rik Charbonneaux is a retired NE Iowan who loves all of God's Word and all of His creatures.