Dr. Nilo H. Flores

August 12, 2026

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today with humble hearts, recognizing Your holiness and our great need for Your grace. Thank You for giving us Your Word that reveals the truth about our condition and points us to the salvation found only in Jesus Christ.

As I study today’s lesson, help me to understand the seriousness of sin and its effect on my relationship with You. Give me a heart that is willing to confess my sins, seek Your forgiveness, and live a life that honors You.

Thank You that although sin has separated mankind from You, Your love has provided a way of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

May Your Holy Spirit guide me and transform my life according to Your truth.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Introduction

Before a person can truly understand salvation, he must first understand the problem that makes salvation necessary.

The greatest problem of humanity is not poverty, lack of education, political struggles, or personal failures.

The greatest problem is sin.

Sin is the reason mankind is separated from God. Sin is the reason death entered the world. Sin is the reason every person needs a Saviour.

The Bible clearly declares:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23 (KJV)

This verse teaches a universal truth:

Every person has sinned.

No nation, culture, family background, social position, or personal achievement can remove the problem of sin.

Many people compare themselves with others and think:

“I am not as bad as other people.”

But God’s standard is not other people.

God’s standard is His perfect holiness.

When we compare ourselves with the holiness of God, we realize that every person has fallen short and needs the grace of God.

The good news of the Gospel begins when we understand the bad news of sin.

What Does “Sin” Mean?

Original Greek Study

Greek Word:

ἁμαρτία

Transliteration:
hamartia

Pronunciation:
ham-ar-tee’-ah

Meaning:

The Greek word ἁμαρτία (hamartia) means:

• Missing the mark
• Falling short of God’s standard
• Failure to obey God’s law
• Moral wrongdoing against God

The picture behind this word comes from archery.

When an archer shoots an arrow and misses the target, it is called missing the mark.

In the same way, mankind has failed to reach God’s perfect standard of righteousness.

Sin is not only doing wrong things.

Sin is a condition of the human heart that separates us from God.

Biblical Doctrine

Sin Entered the World Through Adam

The Bible teaches that sin entered humanity through the disobedience of Adam.

Romans 5:12 (KJV) says:

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

When Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin and death entered the human race.

Since that time, every person has been born with a sinful nature.

This does not mean that every person commits the same sins or has the same struggles.

It means that every person has inherited a sinful condition and needs redemption from God.

Why Is Sin So Serious?

1. Sin Separates Us From God

The prophet Isaiah declared:

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
— Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)

God is holy and righteous.

Because of sin, mankind is separated from fellowship with Him.

Sin creates a barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Only through Jesus Christ can that relationship be restored.

2. Sin Affects Every Person

The Bible does not say:

“Some have sinned.”

It says:

“All have sinned.”

Everyone needs salvation.

The rich need Christ.

The poor need Christ.

The educated need Christ.

The successful need Christ.

The religious need Christ.

Every person needs the forgiveness that only Jesus can provide.

3. Sin Brings Death

Romans 6:23 (KJV) declares:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Sin has a payment.

That payment is death.

This includes physical death and spiritual separation from God.

But praise God, the verse does not end with judgment.

It continues with hope:

“But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

God’s grace provides the answer to humanity’s greatest problem.

The Purpose of Recognizing Sin

Understanding sin is not meant to destroy our hope.

It is meant to lead us to Christ.

A person who does not recognize sickness will not seek a doctor.

A person who does not recognize sin will not seek a Saviour.

The Gospel begins with the truth:

“I am a sinner.”

But it continues with the greater truth:

“Jesus Christ came to save sinners.”

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
— 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)

Sin and Business for Christ

In the business world, people often measure success by:

• Wealth
• Position
• Influence
• Achievement

But God’s measurement is different.

God looks at the heart.

A person may have great success in business but still need salvation.

A person may have everything the world offers but still lack peace with God.

A Christian businessman understands that the greatest need of every person is not merely financial blessing but spiritual redemption through Jesus Christ.

Our businesses should not only produce profit; they should provide opportunities to show people the love and truth of Christ.

Practical Application

As you reflect on today’s lesson, ask yourself:

• Do I recognize my need for God’s forgiveness?

• Am I willing to admit my mistakes before God?

• Do I depend on Christ alone for salvation?

• Am I showing compassion toward sinners who need Christ?

• Am I sharing the Gospel with others?

The first step toward salvation is recognizing that we cannot save ourselves.

Only Jesus Christ can save.

Today’s Challenge

Read and meditate on:

Romans 3:9–26
Romans 5:12–21
1 John 1:8–9

Today, spend time thanking God for His mercy.

Confess any known sin and ask God to help you walk in righteousness.

Then remember someone who needs to hear the Gospel and pray for an opportunity to share Christ with them.

Remember:

The Gospel is not good news because people are good. The Gospel is good news because Jesus saves sinners.

✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores

“The first step toward salvation is not discovering how good we are, but recognizing how much we need the grace of God. When we understand the depth of our sin, we will appreciate the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice.”

— Dr. Nilo H. Flores

😊 Flores Faith Smile

A Sunday school teacher asked her students:

“Who is a sinner?”

One child quickly raised his hand and said:

“Teacher, everybody is a sinner.”

The teacher smiled and asked:

“How did you know that?”

The child answered:

“Because the Bible says all have sinned, and my parents always remind me that I am not perfect!”

Everyone smiled.

The teacher said:

“That is true. But the good news is that Jesus came to save imperfect people.”

Lesson to Remember:

We all have a sin problem, but Jesus Christ has the perfect solution.

Closing Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your Word that reveals the truth about sin and Your wonderful plan of salvation.

Help me to understand the seriousness of sin and the greatness of Your grace. Forgive me for my failures and help me walk in obedience and holiness before You.

Thank You that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners like me.

Give me compassion for others who are still separated from You and give me courage to share the Gospel faithfully.

May my life always point people to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Memory Verse

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Today’s Prayer Focus

      Thank God for providing salvation through Jesus Christ.

      Pray for people who do not yet recognize their need for a Saviour.

       Ask God to give you humility and a heart willing to obey Him.

       Pray for boldness to share the Gospel with sinners who need Christ.

Business for Christ

Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples

Tomorrow (Day 8):

THE PENALTY OF SIN

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
— Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα
(Tō monō Theō doxa)

To God Alone Be the Glory