My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1
I’ve come across people throughout the years that do not like the word “sin.” It’s likely the result of old baggage from their past generated by guilt trips, tongue lashings, or worse. So let’s explore this word a little.
The Greek word for sin is ἁμαρτάνω (pronounced ha-mar-tah-no) and literally means “miss the mark” and therefore “not share the prize.” Think of it in archery terms where you did not hit the bullseye and therefore did not receive a medal.
Jesus taught his disciples (and us) that the prize comes from loving God with every fiber of our being, and loving others as equals to ourselves. Any thing short of that misses the mark.
What John is wishing for those he writes to (and us) is so that we may focus on the bullseye, the target, the mark. Then he provides assurance that even if we miss, Jesus has our back. Why? Because he proved it by his loving actions on the cross;
“Father, forgive them for the know not what they do.”
