Falling Short

The Gift of Salvation

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.” – Romans 3:23-25a

Picture your worst face-plant as an athlete – that time when you were running towards a goal and bit the dust. Any seasoned athlete is quite familiar with the feeling of not being enough. This is the metaphor that Paul uses when he describes us trying to save ourselves: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We talk a lot at Grove City about doing sports to the glory of God – an important topic. But we cannot do anything to the glory of God unless we first understand (and constantly remind ourselves) of the undeserved gift of God, who “justified freely by His grace.” God is most glorified, not just in our hard work, but in believing in the work He has already done for us. Jesus shed His blood so that we might be saved.

Doing athletics is costly and painful. Life is costly and painful. But none of us have the slightest idea of the cost of salvation: the Son of God shed His blood to save us. Hebrews 12:2 says, “[Jesus] for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” The cost of salvation was so great because it covers every sin, satisfying a perfectly holy God. No one has sinned too much to receive the free gift of costly grace.

But Hebrews also warns us, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3) Salvation is not something to think about when we get older, after having a little fun in college. It is not something to put off because a big game or a big test are around the corner. The offer of salvation is urgent, it is now.

When we circle up to pray or hear a coach talk about glorifying God, it should remind us that we all fall short of the glory of God. No success will not provide the solution to life’s problems, but Jesus can and will save. Run to Him!

Sionna Spear, 2020 Graduate, Grove City Track/Cross Country