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Ever felt like no matter how hard you try, the goalposts keep moving and the finish line stays out of reach? We dig into why that ache exists, tracing it back to a truth most of us sense but struggle to name: we don’t just commit sins—we have a sin nature. Pulling from Romans 3:23, we unpack the universal verdict that every person falls short of the glory of God, and we explain what “glory” really means: not applause for effort, but God’s radiant, holy presence that we cannot enter by merit.

From ancient mystery religions to modern rituals, we show how humanity keeps inventing ways to cover guilt—rites, penance, philanthropy, even spiritual performance. These paths echo fragments of the real story—purity, sacrifice, new life—yet stop short of the person who fulfills them. That’s why the standard can’t be lowered; holiness doesn’t bend to public pressure. Instead, God meets the standard for us in Christ. We walk through the heart of justification by faith alone: God declares sinners righteous, not because we improved our record, but because Jesus completed the work in our place. The cross doesn’t offer advice; it offers rescue. The verdict changes first, and new life flows from that new standing.

You’ll hear a powerful challenge that has changed lives for decades: if God asked why you should be welcomed into heaven, what would you say? We explore how placing trust in Jesus—not in religion or effort—answers that question with confidence. If you’ve been striving to bridge the gap with your own strength, this conversation invites you to step onto the only secure bridge: the cross of Christ. Listen, share with a friend who’s searching, and if the message helped you, subscribe and leave a review so others can find it too.

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Stephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback