Bridge to LifeSample

Missing the Mark   

In the sport of archery, the target will vary from one competition to another. Many will consist of a standard circle with a bullseye at the center. Others might be a steel silhouette shaped like a buck or deer. This steel target will have a 4 inch by 4 inch square hole where a “kill” shot would be located on a real deer. A target is then placed directly behind the hole in order to stop arrows that go through the little square.

Missing the mark and hitting any part of the actual steel frame will cost a person both in points and the arrow itself which is destroyed. Those arrows can run $5-10 each which adds to the pressure.

Romans 3:23 tells us, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (NLT)

The word sin is an old archery term which means “to miss the mark.” As we’ll find out in the coming days, missing God’s mark or standard is much more costly than missing the target in an archery competition. From the very first sin committed by Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) in the Garden of Eden, mankind has been woefully missing the mark ever since.

Unfortunately, that includes you and I. Going through a few of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) quickly confirms this,

· Have you ever lied? If yes, you’ve broken #9

· Have you ever stolen anything, regardless of its value? If yes, you’ve broken #8

· Have you ever used God’s name as a cuss word? If yes, you’ve broken #3

· Ever lusted after another person? If yes, you’ve broken #7. Jesus said we’ve committed adultery in our hearts if we look at a man or woman with lust (Matthew 5:28). 

If you answered yes to each of those above, you’ve admitted that you’re a lying, thieving, blasphemer and adulterer at heart. And we’ve only looked at four of the Commandments (God’s Moral Law)! How do you think you’ll do on Judgment Day (Hebrews 9:27)? Trust me, I also failed this little test miserably.

Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the actual price to be paid for all the instances when we missed God’s mark in our lives. 

Don’t worry, good news is coming!

Prayer:

"Father, I confess that I have sinned against you and fall woefully short of your glorious standard. Rather than make elaborate excuses, I humbly admit my guilt and ask that you have mercy on me, a sinner. It's in the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, amen."