by Desiree Bustamante

We fall short of God’s holy expectations, but Jesus won sin’s war for our souls.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 3:23 New Living Translation

The word “sin” in the Bible comes from the Greek word Hamartia or the Hebrew word Hata, which both mean “to miss the mark,” as in archery or even this game of cornhole. When a person missed the center of the target, they made a serious mistake that may have cost them a place on the team.

We have all missed the mark in light of God’s holiness. No one on their own worth can stand innocent before God’s throne of judgement.

Missing God’s mark might leave us discouraged and feeling like He should kick us off His team. Thankfully, God is gracious and merciful. We don’t have to live forever in failure and sin!

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die
for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 5:8 New Living Translation

God knows we’re not capable of saving ourselves. Because of His deep desire to have a relationship with us, God made a way through the sacrifice of His son Jesus. We deserved death, but Jesus redeemed us, released us from the bondage of sin and gave us new life. We are no longer enemies of God but forgiven, cherished children of His kingdom.

We miss the mark as sinners, but the marks on Jesus’ hands and feet remind us during this Lenten season that we are forgiven and loved by our holy, awesome Savior and Redeemer.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado