Missing the mark is a commonly used word in the English language which is translated in Greek word as HAMARTIA meaning ‘SIN’ . Its usage is not only trite but its core definition in the Greek is not captured in the English definition. The English simply defines it as the violation of moral or religious laws. Morality relates to the principle of right and wrong. So we can see that the law is born out of principle and so the principle is greater than the law.
Principle is the fundamental essence that produces a desired quality. When Lord Yeshua was on earth he operated under principles as against the Pharisees who operated under the law. The principle makes the law obsolete or unnecessary because it fulfils the intent of the law. This is the mystery of Paul’s theology which was also the Lord’s for he came not to destroy the law but to fulfil the intent of the law by revealing and working in the principle that led to that law.
Hamartia is the Greek word for sin and it means to miss the mark. Or to be without a share. Or to loss a privilege. The covenant of grace exist within the principle but totally absent within the law. Understanding the principle is to life where as the law is to death. Let me explain further.
The law said thou shall keep the Sabbath holy and shall do no work therein. So when Lord Yeshua healed someone on the Sabbath the Pharisees accused him of breaking the law. In responding to them he said the law was made for man and not man for the law. The above statement can also be confusing if one does not know who and what is man. To know who and what man is you have to KNOW who God is because man was made in the image and likeness of God.
When Moses asked God who He is God simply told him I AM WHAT I AM. OR better still as the original Vulgate translation puts it I AM BECOMING WHAT I AM BECOMING. In other words I am become what I decide to become. What then is man? MAN IS DECISION.
Man is whatever he decides to become. Either to become an angel or a demon and he is becoming any of that. God brought all animals and creation for Adam to decide the name and whatever he calls it becomes it. That’s why we must be careful what we call ourselves with the use of the I AM mantra. For instance you say I AM POOR, I AM BROKE, I AM SINFUL I AM A SINNER and such like.
These are powerful invocations of becoming of the I AM. That I AM shall become according to his constant and repeated proclamation which becomes his believe. Believe is from two words BE and LIVE. You will be what you decide and will live how you decide. Principle defines ‘what and how’ but law defines just ‘what’ and knows not how. We may have thought of man to be that being walking the earth with two legs, two hands two eyes and breathing the air along the earth. But that is just the casing of man. Let’s leave this here and then link our discussion together with our main thrust.
A woman was cut in adultery and was brought before the Lord. Her accusers quoted the law which found the woman guilty of death. But the Lord understanding the principle behind the law, rescued her from her executioners. Because by principle behind the law, even the executioners to be were all as guilty as the woman and the sentence upon that woman was a sentence upon themselves.
They saw what the woman did but he also showed them how or (what led to it or what is behind her actions,) by asking them to cast the first stone if they have no sin. He said to the woman go and Hamatia no more. In other words go and recover yourself from the effect of your act by the provisions for recovery made available in the covenant or you will loss your share in the covenant. Principle is a process.
It has a beginning and an ending whereas the law is terminal. It has no beginning and it all has an end and that is where it begins there it ends no mercy at the mouth of two or three witnesses, the sinner must die. When a sinner refuses to arise or repent from his sin he misses the mark and thus losses his share in Christ. Opportunity for reclamation is provided in the principle but it should be noted that such opportunities is not without limit. Hence the scripture says in James 1:15:
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Sin can be finished or complete by wasting of its grace periods and thus attract justifiable death and so because it had a beginning. May the Lord help us Amen.
This Write up is from our own beloved brother Moses Archibong He is a minister of the gospel and an inspirational writer.
