No person has an excuse to offer to God, Paul says. The result is that the entire world is “liable to prosecution,” “held accountable.” The only person who longs to hear the good news of a way of forgiveness is a person who knows he is justly condemned and helpless. The importance of this truth cannot be overstated. Jesus encountered those who thought themselves righteous and who viewed everyone else a sinner. The Pharisees could not understand Jesus’ ministry because they did not see themselves