Human identity can be summarized by looking at it from two perspectives. Who we are in our natural state and who we are in Christ. Humanity in its natural state is driven by its sinful nature. Romans 1-8 perfectly lays out who and what we are in our natural state. It also describes who and what we are in Christ. “For we have already stated that both Jews and Gentiles are all under the power of sin.” (Romans 3:9 NIV) In Romans 1:29-31, Paul provides a long list of evil behaviors that are still prevalent in today's society, which makes me realize that we, in our natural state, are the same as we always have been . There are no exceptions to the rule, other than that of Christ. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (3:23) Paul points out in Romans 1-3 how people tried to free themselves from their sinful nature by needlessly depending on the Law. The Law could not bring justification (Acts 13:39), produce righteousness (Galatians 2:21), produce life (Galatians 3:21), bring perfection (Hebrews 7:19), or free the conscience from the knowledge of sin (Hebrews 10:1-4). (Johnson, 1896) The fact is that God's standards are perfect and we alone can never meet them by any religious act or moral behavior. The good news is that God knew all this. He knew that by our own strength alone we could not overcome our sinful nature. He sent us a perfect sacrifice to permanently fulfill the Law. That sacrifice was his only Son, Jesus Christ. “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood, to be received through faith.” (Romans 3:25) Through faith in Jesus Christ, God's grace has been given to us. Now, instead of being bound, we are set free. Instead of the injustice that abounds in our… middle of paper… everyone else. From the murderer to the thief or the liar, we are all the same. It is amazing how some verses in God's Word can, so to speak, “knock us down a few pegs.” I took a step back and, with God's help, examined myself. I didn't like most of what I found. We think we are good, but being good is nothing if we do it for entirely the wrong reasons, such as self-glorification. We lie to ourselves, but God knows what lies deep within our hearts. I am grateful that, through His love and grace, God is willing to accept me and mold me to fit His purpose. Now more than ever, I am eager to take Paul's example and speak to the world, not about condemnation, but about the love of Christ. Works Cited Johnson, A. (1896). Condensed Bible Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/condensed-biblical-encyclopedia/the-law-of-moses.html