No difference

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God- Romans 3.20-23

God doesn’t want us to miss the point here. He wants us to be absolutely sure that we know that just being religious is not going to do it. Indeed, as we saw before, God is not partial. All have sinned, everyone, including religious folks, all have sinned and because they sin they fall short of the glory of God. 

Some fall short by a mile. Some fall short by inches. But all fall short of God's perfection.

It is kind of like taking a penalty kick from 65 metres in rugby. One kicker might fall 20 metres short. Another might fall 10 metres short. Still another might fall short by only centimetres. But they all fall short and falling short just isn't good enough.

Some folks might he most obvious and visible and wicked of sinners. Men like Hitler and Stalin and such are obviously no where near close to the target. Some are just your everyday Joe Blogg and he too will fall short. Other might from all appearances be really good and pious people. But no one is perfect and even one sin is enough to keep us all short from God's standard of perfection.  

That is why no man’s work is enough. That is why everyone has an equal chance at salvation. The vilest sinner has the same chance as the most pious person we might meet.

That chance is only in Christ. He is the only one who can bridge the gap where we all fall short.

When we share the gospel let’s remember that everyone we talk to is on an equal footing. No matter how wide or narrow the gap is there is a gap separating man from God and only Christ can span that gap.