Missing The Mark

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The most commonly used Greek word translated as sin means “to miss the mark”. It is either an archery term or refers to spear-throwing, depending on the source you use.

I like the idea of sin being missing the mark because it makes sin more understandable while also setting an impossibly high bar. There’s a standard. If you miss that, even by a little bit, you’ve sinned. Given that, none of us can pretend we don’t sin. We need a saviour because we have no hope of being perfect.

Thinking of sin as missing the mark also makes it less of a big deal. We all do it, all the time. I’m not saying it’s okay, but it’s human. It’s not some life-altering thing that requires us to withdraw and seek penance. Sin happens multiple times a day. We should deal with our sins and repent as needed, but we should also need to learn to bask in the grace God offers so freely. 

When we sin against others we should be fast to repent and seek forgiveness. When others sin against us we should give them the kind of grace God gives us. These things are especially true with our wives, where sins stacked on sins can quickly undermine our marriage.

Image by FlitsArt from Pixabay
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