I was reading along on Peggy's Narnia series, and she was talking about the different definitions of sin--one of which was "missing the mark".
This immediately brought to my mind memories--good memories!! I am not very sports minded, and in gym class in school, the only sport that I was even close to accomplishing well was archery.
The word "sin" is an archery term from Anglo-Saxon times--literally meaning "missed the mark" (or the target), and the "sin of the arrow" is how far the arrow lands from the bulls-eye.
Now, I have to be careful about how I speak around my 3 nonbeliever children. The word "sin" would literally turn them off onto any more seeking of God. They are nonbelievers, but I can see and hear them seeking from time to time, asking questions--one step forward, two steps back.
As a for instance--my oldest daughter was peeling the potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner when she announced, "It's hotter than hell in here!" I told her that my kitchen was not even close to the heat in hell. What happened--she backed off from the subject and no more conversation regarding this.
So, I have decided that when I mess up on something, my response is going to be--"Wow, I sure missed the mark on that one!"; when they mess up on something--same thing--"Missed the mark there!"
I know that sin is sin, no matter what we call it. But, I don't want to turn them away any further than they already are. My goal is to bring them closer to God, accept His love and salvation for them.
What do you think?
K--that's all for a while!!
Beth
As an aside, Internet Cafe's Holiday Expo is hosting a Christmas giveaway!! I'll be posting my item that I'll be giving away on Thursday!! So, stay tuned--a little hint??? I made this item. Maybe I'll give you another few hints until Thursday when the actual picture is posted.
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6 comments:
Beth, The Lord really used you and inspired you with these words! This was so powerful! And, it hit its mark in my heart. How often do we "beat-up" someone with the Word instead of being Christ to them? Thank you so much for sharing this. I hope you don't mind if I use your wonderful illustration with my Bible study group! Blessings to you for this Monday!
Sandy
Love it... definitely God inspired
Hi Beth,
What a grat idea. I've missed the mark. It doesn't sound as harsh to an unbeliever, you're right.
Have a great Monday!
Sonya
Such a wonderful idea.
Blessings Beth...Need I say more.
Inspirational as I told you...one concept that really hits the mark.
It isn't so much because unbelievers see sin as cruel, it's because there is no understanding of the word if you are not in church. We too often use church terms that mean nothing. We never need to sugarcoat the truth but we need to be more clear, if we are harsh or cruel..."yes, it drives them further away" not invites them to draw near. Perhaps if more people who do not know Christ, knew how far away their actions were from the target or where it leads more clearly, there would be less
sin...and as we miss the mark...the gap between God & us grows wider &
deeper that Jesus came to bridge!
So what other comparisons are there in archery terms that we can talk about? God can take the profound and make it simple & He uses each of us to deliver His message and meet people where they are at!!!
Thank you for sharing & trying to promote my "Narnia" posts!
I find believers don't like the word sin! That probably explains why the unbelievers are especially uncomfortable with it. When we know that Jesus has paid the price why would back away from wanting to know where we sin so that conviction can bring us to confession and repentance and WHOLENESS?
I love your posts. I especially love this definition because in archery a miss is a miss. The target...the bulls eye is the goal. Jesus Christ came that we can know how to live. So, we have all missed the mark; no one can lord over anyone. Hallelujah!!
Thanks for comment. That was a hard one to release; so your comment meant so much.
God love and keep you in His wonderful grace and favor.
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