Please note that this article is by no means meant to condemn anybody, but to actually show you the true purpose of the law. Now I know the whole thing about missing the mark as the definition of sin. This is not that teaching. I do not want to show you where you miss the mark but instead I want to show you the true size of the target the law requires you to shoot at if you choose to live under it. We all have our own ideas about the size of the target, where we draw the line between sin and not sin. But to be perfectly honest, the size we think the target is, is nowhere near its true size according to scripture. I am going to show you how people try to make the size of the law’s target bigger.

“I might tell a little lie now and then, but at least I don’t steal.” Have you ever heard people compare what they think is acceptable and what is not? Both lying and stealing are included in the law, it doesn’t matter how big and small the lie or the value of the item stolen is. Reasoning like that is their way of making the target bigger. But that is of no use really.

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” (NKJV)

You can’t decide what you think is sin and what is not. If you choose to live under law, you have to live by every single law. Others make the target bigger this way, “I have only stolen once, and never again.” The law gives no second chances. In fact, ‘once’ has some pretty serious consequences.

James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (NKJV)

Only doing one thing wrong makes you guilty of every single law. How big is that target now? Do you still think you can hit it and be righteous enough to have right standing before God? Let’s go a little smaller. Have you ever heard the term ‘habitual sin’? This is sin that people repeatedly commit even though they know it is wrong. They usually try to make the target bigger by classifying one sin as worse than the next. What do you think is worse: Compulsive lying or long term adultery? Or, driving while speaking on the phone or driving over the speed limit? You might be wondering why I put those in there. It’s because I want to show you a different kind of habitual sin.

Ezra 7:26 Whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily on him. (NKJV)

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (NKJV)

How many times a day do you exceed the speed limit in your car? Do you speak on the phone while driving? Do you drive without your seatbelt? In most countries, all three those things are considered breaking the law. If you do it daily, that would also make it habitual. You know it’s wrong but do it anyway. I bet that target just got way smaller right? But wait, the next sin I am going to show you is actually often overlooked and makes the target even smaller.

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (NKJV)

This verse makes it sin to not do what you know to be good and right. That means if you turn up your radio and ignore the beggar at the traffic light, you are committing a sin. If you see a sick person and don’t pray for them, you are committing a sin. If you get too much change at the shop and don’t give it back, you commit a sin. If you see a need and don’t meet it, you are sinning. How small is that target the law paints now? And I haven’t even used the lust = adultery or hate = murder spiel. We have one arrow to shoot at the target the law paints, and most of us shot that arrow before we even knew we had to hit the target. Missing the target on the one and only try you get means you fall short.

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (NKJV)

All means everybody. There is not one person who can honestly say they can live righteous enough to have any sort of right standing before God, no matter how pious or holy they think they are. Trying to keep the law in order to have right standing before God which leads to eternal life, is of no use.

Gal 3:21 For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law (NKJV)

There is no law that can give life. Even Jesus, who kept the law perfectly died and went to hell. The Spirit of God had to go get Him and resurrect Him back to life. He could be resurrected because the sin that was punished in Him was your sin. Once He was punished and sent to hell, the punishment for all your sin was dealt with. Once the punishment was complete, He could be resurrected based on His innocence. No matter how good a person thinks they can be, trying to hit the law’s tiny target with one arrow is impossible. It is much easier to believe in Christ and be united in His death and resurrection to eternal life, than to try and shoot at that target. To end off, honestly take a good look at the target painted by the law and decide if you are going to risk taking the shot yourself, or will you instead believe in Jesus’ perfect shot on your behalf. Put down the bow and arrow and accept the gift Jesus secured by hitting the target for us! Secondly, stop telling others to aim for a target you can’t hit yourself, and instead tell them there was somebody who hit the target for them already!

Thank you Father for Your Grace!

Cornel