Missing the Mark
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Sin means missing the mark.
We are all sinners, by birth and by choice.
But this sets forth more than this….we have all missed the mark for the goal for our life…..that goal for which we were brought into being for……
…..until we come to submit to the Truth of God, in the Person of Jesus Christ.
John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Then when truth is faced, then grace (the unmerited favor of power) is given to us.
2 Timothy 3:7 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
When you have come to the knowledge of a truth, you have what that truth sets forth….in your experience.
2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
(And when you only agree with the truth, but refuse the power of the Truth, you are as a cistern (Jeremiah 2:13), holding only enough water for a time; but not having the Living Water (John 4:14).
You are only holding enough facts to look good. You are still missing the mark….the purpose that God has for you, in Christ Jesus)
How do they “refuse the power”? In words? No, they talk the talk of religion….but they never have subjection to the Holy Spirit and His Word; therefore no real power in there lives.
For it God working through us that is the power of our lives.
Down through the ages, God has called by Wisdom.
Wisdom in scripture is that revelation (light)from God: that comes to our minds, when were in a muddle; our hearts, when the world dazzles; our wills, when we are at a standstill. We suddenly know….what God sees, and wills.
Proverbs 1:20,22 “Wisdom crieth without;…..How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”
Wisdom cry’s out in joy, of the Lord’s invitation to all: (remember God deals with our wills….what will we do?)
“Simple” here means: the easily seducible. They will be led away easily.
“Scorners” are those who mock as well as reject the truth.
And “fools” are those who are indifferent to God’s character or government. They don’t know, or want to know.
Having addressed them in truth…..will they come and have grace applied to them?
Proverbs 1:23 “Turn you at My reproof: Behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.”
Wow! What a promise to those that hear the truth and come to the wisdom in Christ! His Spirit, poured out to them. His Word understood by them.
Again….Wow!
Wisdom is from God, it is “from above”.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
This is the way God’s wisdom speaks:
First, pure….there is no admixture…it is simply the truth.
He is going to tell you what you need to hear, in order that you will be saved from sin and self……and go on to be adult sons of God, with the responsibility and authority from God that He has for you.
Ephesians 4:13-15 “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (complete) man,….
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, ……
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Second, peaceable. “The entrance of His Word brings life…”. He is interested in us….not what we can do for Him (we really can’t do anything for Him…we are called to obedience for that is subjection and love for Him; but we never add anything to God).
Peace is one of the first things He gives us, and He calls us to it again and again, in all our trials and joys.
(Luke 1:79 He came to:”guide our feet into the way of peace” ; The sinner at Simon’s house, and the one who touched the hem of His garment: “go in peace.” Luke 7:50 and Luke 8:48; John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you…”; John 16:33 “in Me ye might have peace.”; Three times after His resurrection, when He greeted His disciples “Peace be unto you”. John 20:19, 21,26….there are more, but you get the idea.)
Third, gentle, and easy to be entreated. In other words, the Lord does not rebuke us for not knowing…..only not coming to Him, to know.
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Fourth, full of mercy and good fruits. Mercy is God’s kindness to sinners. Spiritual mercy leans down and picks us up, lifts up our head, and applies whatever medicine we need.
Which in turn, brings out mercy from us, to others….that good fruit produced in us and through us.
Fifth, without partiality and hypocrisy. God does not give wisdom based on who you are, or your spiritual status. (Acts 10:34 “God is no respecter of persons:”)
God gives wisdom to those who need it and come to Him for it.
We have all missed the mark; but what are we going to do about it?
Will we come to Jesus Christ and receive His Life, by being born again?
Will we go on and really learn by subjection and love to Him, and become grownups for His sake?
Will we come and keep coming to receive His wisdom?
For He promised He will “pour out” His Spirit upon us, and “make known” His Word to us.
Let us stop missing the mark for our lives, in Christ.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 