Forgiving Challenge: The 11-Day Life-Changing Journey to FreedomSample

Day 2: What is Sin?

Many gaming apps are programmed to become more manageable if you continue losing. They will become more challenging as your skill increases. In other words, the standard shifts depending on how you are performing. As lovely as that sounds, the problem with that is we are left with no standard for what is "good" and what is "bad." This idea of an unclear, moving standard can be seen in our society as well.

What's good for you might not be good for me, and vice-versa.

Thankfully, there is one place we can go that doesn't go hazy when it comes to the picture of sin. Sin is clearly explained in the Bible. The word 'sin' comes from an old archery term meaning "to miss the mark." If the bullseye is the mark you intend to hit, then technically, anything other than bullseye is considered a sin. No matter if you hit just outside the bullseye or completely missed the entire target by a mile, it still misses what the intended target is.

What an impossible standard!

James reminds us of this standard in James 2:10: For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of speaking it all.

Pretty sobering words. We all find ourselves in a situation where we are missing the mark. And the person most responsible for the problems in your life is you. I know that it's never easy to hear words like that. But, to lay my cards out on the table, not only have I fallen short of God's standards, but there are standards that I've set for myself that I haven't lived up to. And I bet that's true for you. Regardless, we aren't the version God created us to be, and the worst thing He can do is leave us alone. Thankfully He doesn't.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

It's one thing to love someone who is perfect, holy, and clean. But our God chose to come and rescue us while we were still in the middle of our mess. I love what the lyrics in "Reckless Love" remind us: that there is no mountain God won't climb, no shadow He won't light up, no wall He won't kick down, and no lie He won't tear down. He doesn't wait for our lives to be perfectly buttoned-up before coming near to us.

So even though we may miss the mark, we aren't left in our mess. There's freedom in forgiveness. God loves you for who you are, but His freedom doesn't leave you just as you are.

But don't go deleting all your games yet. Ms. Pacman doesn't stand a chance against our God!

Challenge: As you think about the slimy pit of sin, complete this challenge with a prayer. Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you need freedom.