This Week |
#37 (5-16-04)
Hamartia
This word may not be part
of your vocabulary (I certainly don’t use it in normal conversation), but
the meaning is vital. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament
Words tells us that the literal meaning is “missing the mark.” Dr.
Vine goes on to say that this “etymological meaning is largely lost sight
of in the New Testament.”
What’s more important to me is that we
may have lost sight of it in the Church of the 21st century.
Stop here and take a moment to read Romans 6:1-14.
I’m one of those “old fashioned”
preachers who believe that the Father has set a mark for us to attain. It
might well be said that the mark, although extremely high, is to walk in
newness of life in every moment of every day of our life.
Attaining (note this word is not
obtaining) that distinction requires a little concentration in a couple of
areas. First, we have to know what “sin” is, and secondly, we have to
overcome (achieve victory) that sin by the grace of God and the power of
His Spirit residing within us.
There’s not a lot of rhetoric regarding
the former in 21st century gatherings of the family. Because we
don’t know when we have missed the mark, we experience difficulty in
gaining victory. Sin is not something we like to hear about unless we are
hearing about sin that does not challenge or affect us. Sermons condemning
bank-robbery leave us feeling victorious, while sermons on corrupt
communication leave us wishing we had slept-in.
I believe the Scriptures teach us that it
is our mouth that is often “foul” or “rotten” (the meaning of corrupt). We
want that to mean cursing and taking God’s name in vain. And of course, it
does mean that. But it is much more than that. The Christian’s words must
always be uplifting, encouraging, supportive, and positive even when
corrective. It is always “missing the mark” when our words are negative,
destructive, damaging, and sow discord in the family. Gossip, for example,
is more than a “problem” in the life of the Church. It is hamartia!
It grieves the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). It is classified along
with “fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, and idolatry
“(Ephesians 5:3-5).
No one ever said it better than God
through the Apostle Paul. All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and
slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, even as God
forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 HCSB)
© Weaver 2004