Romans 3:21-26 – “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”  NKJV

Sin is rightly described as “missing the mark” and when Paul says, “…all have sinned…” and reveals that we have all “fallen short” of the Glory of God he is identifying a valuable truth and reveals the clear need of EVERYONE for a Savior.  No one has, can, or will earn their salvation.  We are all MARK MISSERS and sadly many are missing the mark because they are aiming at the wrong target.  Humans have a tendency to “justify” or “compare” and that always leads to problems, especially with regard to Salvation and our relationship with God.

I heard a nationally known minister who is the senior pastor in a Mega-Church declare that there are many ways to God.  Really?  If I believe the Bible, and I do, the Bible declares that there is ONLY ONE WAY to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ.  (John 14:6).  Jesus declared that He WAS/IS, the Way, the Truth, and the Life and the ONLY door through which one can enter to attain or receive salvation.  The matter is not up for discussion if we believe the Bible.  It is clear and there is no ambiguity in the words of our LORD.

I have heard people argue that those living in lifestyles the Bible declares as abominations to God and thereby MARK MISSERS are the way they are because God made them that way.  Really?  If that is true, and it is not, then God is the most sadistic tyrant ever because He has declared those lifestyles ABOMINABLE and yet the people are as they are because He made them that way.  How can that be?  I readily acknowledge that there are many factors and contributors to human behavior but at the heart is CHOICE.  Adam and Eve did not have to “partake of the forbidden fruit” but they opted to believe THE LIE of the serpent rather than obey the Commandment of God.  The result was birthed out of their CHOICE not because God made them eat the fruit.

I have heard people argue, “…the devil made me do it.”  Really?  I would contend that he tempted you, deceived you, pressured you, and encouraged you but he DID NOT MAKE YOU DO IT.  You made that choice UNLESS you are demon possessed and completely under the control of the demonic spirits and power.  I do not believe you want to testify or claim that condition so please do not argue that you could not help yourself.  God has promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”  Therefore, we have the ability to choose obedience or disobedience, flesh or spirit, unrighteousness or righteousness.  The problem is we are MARK MISSERS!

The good news is that “…if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9).  It is “by grace that we are saved through faith, and not of ourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8)  We have the most beautiful declaration in John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  NKJV

Yes, we are MARK MISSERS but He corrects our aim through His shed blood and grace enabling us to move from darkness to light and from unrighteousness to righteousness.  Thank God we are saved and are being saved by His Love, Mercy, Blood, and Grace.

God bless you as you embark on this daily journey.