The Power of the GospelSample

The Gospel Truth About Sin

Mike Schloesser is a 29-year-old athlete from the Netherlands. He is ranked #1 in the world for archery. He has been competing on the world stage since 2008. He even earned the title “Mister Perfect” by becoming the first archer in history to score a maximum of 600 points on the indoor 60-arrow 18-metre qualifying round in 2015.

The truth is, while he is incredibly good, he is not a perfect archer. He averages 9.91 out of 10 on his shots. That means he falls short of perfection; he misses this mark.

There is a Greek word for this archery shortfall. It is called hamartia.

Hamartia has another translation in the Bible: “sin.” Sin is “missing the mark,” “falling short,” or “not being perfect.”

Sin is anything you say, do, or think that goes against what God wants.

But is perfection really what is required in our Christian lives? How good do we have to be?

Let’s hear what Jesus said in Matthew 5:48:

“Be perfect, therefore, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”

Perfection is the target. Perfection is the standard. Perfection is what gets you into Heaven.

Sometimes, we get that a little confused. We think that “better than a bad person” is the target. If I’m just not as bad as so-and-so, I should get to Heaven.

But comparison with other people who have missed the mark is not the standard.

Comparison with Jesus is the standard.

And when we sin, perfection is no longer perfection. We fall short.

And Scripture says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a).

We need to understand this truth, or we will die in our sins. However, there is more:

“But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).

The Gospel reveals the answer to sin in Jesus!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know me. You know my weaknesses, my propensity to lust or to power up or to boast and brag. You see all my sins and failings. I confess my sins to You because I believe that You are able and willing to forgive. Thank You for paying the price for my sins, nailing them to the Cross, and doing away with them forever. Though I fall short of the mark, You never do. So, I rely on Your perfection and surrender myself to You. Amen.

Reflection: Where is the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin today? Don’t make excuses about it. Don’t try to pass the blame or deny the truth. Simply agree with the Spirit, confess those sins to God, and receive the forgiveness Jesus offers through the Cross. Be set free so that you might truly live!