"All Have Sinned": Any Exceptions?

God's Word is clear about sin; it's people who find exceptions to the rule.

Image: Alireza Dolati via Unsplash

We "Christians" divide on many theological and doctrinal issues. We know what they are.

But one of the core concepts that holds Christianity together like glue is losing its doctrinal "stickiness." That concept is sin. 

But before we discuss sin, we must first agree that the Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God. If we divide on that point, the rest of the post is an academic exercise in futility. 

All Have Sinned

If we agree, then the Apostle Paul's message to the Romans is clear: 

"As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one'" Romans 3:10 (NKJV).   

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

Those two statements, frequently cited in the Roman Road to Salvation, establish that humans are forever separated from God because of sin. That means "no one" is sinless, no exceptions. 

If we believe God's Word is true, we can't look at the world (or our neighbor) and say, "Yep. Sure is a sinful world, alright." And then walk by a mirror, stop, and gaze lovingly at a reflection of an angel–a sinless human person righteous in their own mind. 

But if you think I'm exaggerating, I'm not. 

Dr. George Barna, Director of the Cultural Research Center, published the American Worldview Inventory (AWVI) 2025. In Report #8, he cites some sobering statistics. His research supports my contention that sin is losing its stickiness as a core doctrine of Christianity.

Consider a few of his findings: 

• "84% of Americans believe sin exists, yet nearly half deny that everyone sins." 

• "Only 14% of self-described Christians hold a biblically consistent theology of sin."

• "Even among born-again Christians, one in four refuses to use the 'sinner' label, and 70% say people are 'basically good at heart.'" 

• According to a Pew Study, only 3% of sermons in America mention sin. 

Am I the only one troubled by these statistics? What they are suggesting is that Christianity has watered down, diluted the glue that has held it together since Jesus shed His blood for our sins at Calvary.  

But if we don't acknowledge that we are sinners–forever separated from God–without a Savior, Jesus Christ, then why did He need to die on the cross?

Jesus offers to save us precisely because we can't save ourselves. Apparently, a growing number of "Christians" can't even acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

If Barna's research reflects contemporary Christianity, then we need to clarify what it means to be "Christian." It's for this reason that I've decided to leave the "church" without leaving faith.   

In summary, God's Word is clear: all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. There are no exceptions. Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross. He shed His blood for our salvation; however, if we can't acknowledge that we need Him because of our sin, then how can we expect Him to intercede for us when we stand before Him on judgment day?  

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23 (NKJV)