God's Target

The two greatest commandments, love God and love people, defines God's target. In order to hit the mark on that target, we not only need to see it but we also need to be aiming at it.

The Greek word for sin, hamartano, means to be without a share in, to err, to be mistaken, to miss the mark. This term was used in archery when an arrow did not hit where an archer was aiming or if they missed the target completely. When we take a shot at “God’s Target”, sometimes we miss the mark, even if we have the full intention of hitting it!

Jesus said in Matthew 22:40, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." If all the Law hangs on those two commandments (God’s target), then it’s probably important to know the Law. Today, the Torah is not being taught which has led to a lawless generation that is constantly missing the mark. Many think that the Law was done away with, but Jesus clearly says in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” If we want to have better vision, the Torah brings light to God's Target.

Once we have a good view of God's Target, we need to be intentionally aiming for it. Apostle Paul states in Romans 15:20, “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation”. His aim here was to preach the gospel. When we preach the gospel, we are aiming at God's target because we are not only loving God, but we're loving people by sharing with them the good news that they are able to be reconciled back to God through Jesus Christ. Our daily aim should be to hit the mark!

Components of the Parable

• Arrow = A thought

  • A straight, pure arrow is a thought from God

  • A bent, defiled arrow is a thought from the enemy or flesh

    • The thoughts from the enemy are intended for you to miss the mark

• Bow = Heart or mind (inner thoughts)… what we meditate on

  • We need to be able to recognize the source of the arrow that we put in our bow. Is it from God, the enemy, or the flesh?

• Nocking the Arrow = Meditating on the thought with intention to shoot

• Target = God’s Target (2 greatest commandments)

• Shooting the Arrow = Our actions

• Hitting/Missing the Mark = Result of our actions

Falling to Fleshly Desires

What happens when when we fall into temptation and miss the mark? James 1:14-15 states,"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."

• Arrow (bent) = Tempted (thoughts)

• Nocking the Arrow = Drawn away by desires

• Shooting the Arrow = Desire has conceived (action)

• Missing the Mark = Conceived desire results in sin

• End Result = Brings forth death (Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death…”)

Casting Down Thoughts

When a thought from the enemy comes, what do we do with it? 2 Corinthians 10:5 states, “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” When a thought comes, we should evaluate it. If we identify the thought is from the enemy (a bent arrow), we can cast it down. There is also power in our speech, so when the enemy comes and tries to deceive you with a thought that is against the word of God, speak to that thought and quote scripture against it.

Example Of A Thought From God

During a church service this year, God gave me a word of knowledge during worship at BAM PA. I chose to load the arrow (thought) into my bow and shoot it by sharing the word that I had received into the chat. If I would have froze and not shot the arrow, I would have missed the mark and a testimony of healing would not have taken place. Instead, the result of hitting the mark was a testimony of healing took place and God's will was done on this earth as it is in heaven.

• Arrow = A word of knowledge (a thought from God)

• Bow = Processing the word of knowledge to understand how to obey

• Shooting the Arrow = Sharing the word of knowledge in the chat

• Hit the Mark (Result) = Testimony of healing. God’s will was done on this earth as it is in heaven

With the theme of Tabernacles 5786 being "Thy Kingdom Come", how does God’s Kingdom come on this earth? When we hit the mark.

Discussion Questions To Dig Deeper:

1. Do you believe that you can clearly see God's target? What can you do to improve your vision?

2. Have you been intentionally aiming for God's target daily?

3. Where have you felt that you have missed the mark recently?

4. Was there a time that God gave you an instruction that you intended to shoot at the target but you froze and/or did not shoot?

5. What part of this message has come alive to you?