08/27/2026
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Dear friends,
I feel quite confident that most who are reading this could have quoted the verse above. This is often a verse that is cited by those who are seeking to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ, inviting them to commit to being followers of Jesus. The point that is made is quite simple. Everyone sins. Truthfully, sin isn't my favorite word to use when talking about someone making a decision to follow the way of Jesus. I think that's because it can be used to emphasize that the "main thing" in deciding to be a Christian is to ensure one's place in heaven and avoid what some think of as the alternative: eternal punishment. For me, the main thing in deciding to follow the way of Jesus is precisely that, seeking to live our lives according to the teachings of Jesus so as to make the world a better place, a more just, compassionate, loving place. That, I believe, is what Jesus was talking about when he used the phrase "the kingdom of God."
So, back to the word sin. I think it's helpful to know the origin of the English word sin. It actually comes from a Hebrew word chata, a word that literally means: to miss the mark. So, we see, the image is like that of an arrow flying towards a target. Typically, an archer is not going to hit the bull's-eye every time. That's the way it is in life. Sometimes, our actions and words aren't what they could (or should) be. A harsh word spoken in frustration. A less than fully honest financial decision, even if it's "a small one." A judging thought towards someone who's different than we are. Our aim is not usually to speak, act, or think this way. We'd rather hit the mark of being caring and honest. But sometimes we miss.
When we think of sin as missing the mark, it's less judgmental, less holier-than-thou and more straightforward and clear. Words matter. So does that way we understand them.
Grace & Peace!
Pastor Jonathan
