“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Sin.

Our culture doesn’t like that word. Our culture hates being guilty of that word. So, our culture continues to change the concept of sin. In time, we have come to believe only things like murder, rape, theft are sins.

But, have you ever thought about what sin is? What is it?

The Greek word for sin is hamartia. It means “missing the mark” or “failure.” If sin is missing the mark, what is the mark? Who sets the mark? Who determines what the mark or the aim is? Without someone setting the mark, it makes no sense to miss the mark. The second meaning of the Greek word for sin is failure. Again, the question is failure from what? Who determines what failure is? In order to fail, there has to be a goal, or target, or something at the end. So, who decides what the goal, target, or the end of something is?

Christians, God and only God determines the “mark” or the “goal.” Sin is always a sin against God. No matter how much our culture changes and reviles against the idea of sin, God’s truth is God’s truth. Sin is sin. Sin is sin against God.

Therefore, the only solution to sin is to get right with God.

God has made a way for sinners to get right with God. That way has a name. His name is Jesus. Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we confess that we are sinners in need of a Savior, God forgives.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to my heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to my eyes…They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, honey from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:7-9, 10)

The law of the LORD – refreshing to the soul.
The precepts of the LORD – giving joy to my heart.

So, when’s the last time you looked at the Ten Commandments and thought, “refreshing!” and “oh, joy!” not in a sarcastic way, but with genuine delight?

Have you ever thought about God’s commandments and thought, “Wow! More precious than tons of pure gold.” Have you ever read God’s commands and thought to yourself, “Oh, so sweet! Sweeter than honey from the honeycomb!”

You see, we think of laws and commands as something that is restrictive and prohibitive. But that’s not how many Jews thought about God’s laws. They genuinely delighted in God’s laws. God’s laws were sweet to them because it showed them how to live. God’s laws were something to be celebrated, something to delight in because no other nation had a God who clearly gave them the secrets to happiness and joy.

Even the Sabbath laws and the thirty-nine different ways to protect the Sabbath command were there to honor God. In time, and within certain circles, these laws and commands were practiced legalistically. But that was not the intent of those who came up with the thirty-nine ways to protect the Sabbath command. They genuinely wanted to give God the best worship possible.

It is we who are mistaken when we view God’s laws and commands as restrictive and prohibitive. They are given to us so that we may truly live the life that God intends for us to live. They are gifts.

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith…Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

Let me start this devotion with a disclaimer: Pastors Brad, Bill, and James are not going through a pastoral crisis. We all count ourselves incredibly blessed to be leaders at the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace.

The reason for this post is because we all can use prayers, but particularly your pastors. Not because anything bad is happening, but so that your pastors can continue serving God and you faithfully.

You see, the devil does not have to destroy a Christian leader in order to mess up what God is doing in a particular congregation. The devil only has to distract a leader.

In a New York Times article, Paul Vitello reported: The findings have surfaced with ominous regularity over the last few years, and with little notice: Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.

Dr. R. J. Krejcir of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development has been actively involved in multiple surveys of thousands of pastors in various settings from 1989 to 2006. Krejcir states, “Over 70% of pastors are so stressed out and burned out that they regularly consider leaving the ministry. Thirty-five to forty percent of pastors do leave the ministry, most after only five years. 100% of pastors we surveyed had a close associate or seminary buddy who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.”

God is doing good work at the Little Church Lakewoodgrace. And that is all the more reason why I covet your prayers for your pastors. I know many of you already do. Keep up the good work! I thank God for you! Know you are in my prayers.

Blessings!