Olympics brings out the best athletes in the world. The world waits for the competition between runners, swimmers, wrestlers and other athletic categories. The range of sports has grown considerably since the Greeks started the competitive games in 776 BC. There are a slew of new sports, unheard of by the Greeks, but then; they never had to deal with TV networks and endorsements. One thing hasn’t changed—the old fashioned art of archery. From Genesis to ole William Tell it is one of the oldest forms of competition. From war to friendly contests, archery still tests the skills of the individual. It is not a team sport!
It’s a singular-personal-individual-achievement. The book of Romans reveals to the world, how good at archery we are. Chapter 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Everyone misses the mark. Not many, not most, but all have sinned—all fall short. Romans 3:10 confirms it, “There is none righteous, no not one.” Maybe we should draw on our own faith when we aim for the prize of eternal life. No question, some sins seem bigger than others, because the obvious consequences are more serious. Murder, for example, appears to us to be worse than hatred, and adultery, appears worst than lust. But this doesn’t mean that just because we do lesser sins we deserve eternal life. Sin is sin. All sin makes us sinners and it cuts us off from God. All sin, leads to death regardless of how great or small it seems. Like an Olympic archer, if he doesn’t qualify, he doesn’t qualify. Let us not minimize ‘little’ sins or ‘overrate’ big sins, they all separate us from living with God, but they can all still be forgiven. Paul gives us wonderful news. There’s a way to be declared not guilty-by trusting Jesus to take away the sin. “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know, through Jesus, forgiveness is proclaimed to you” Acts 18:38. You’re forgiven, don’t you feel refreshed? Revel in it!
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