Welcome to the Higher Heart Society – – a Christian community to elevate your journey!

First, let’s explore the Hebrew and Greek words from the original biblical texts:

The Hebrew word “Khata” is most commonly translated as “Sin” in the Bible. It can also mean “to fail” or “to miss the goal”. For example, someone who acts hastily while traveling is likely to “Khata”, or miss their intended destination.

Hamartia is another word used, and it comes from the Greek word “hamartánein”, which means “to miss the mark” or “to err”. In archery, hamartia means “to miss the mark”, or to fail to receive a prize or blessing.

In essence this suggests that sin might not be as great as a misstep as some people might feel.

Some words for sin directly translate to “imperfect”. It’s simply missing the mark. We didn’t get an A+, maybe sometimes we didn’t get a C, but we just didn’t make it. Maybe we hit the target, but we did not hit the bullseye.

A fruit that falls from the tree is imperfect as it bruises while hitting the ground. It is it’s ripest, and yet at it’s most perfect, while also being most delicious. The unripe fruit is hard and bitter, although without imperfection. Perhaps it takes sin to perfect a person. But the journey to perfection means also experiencing what it means not to be perfect. It takes time and effort to learn new skills.

The seed inside the apple is still perfect and good. God created our hearts to be perfect.

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. God expects we will “miss the mark” sometimes. We can study and uplift one another in order that we might do better next time. We can practice for ourselves, and heal our hearts. Fellow people, with the effort and compassion can help us as well.

Feel into the scripture of James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

This passage suggests that the difficulties we go through are perfecting us.

Another scripture I enjoy comes from Proverbs:

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart more than anything else,
    because the source of your life flows from it. (NOG)

Is all sin equal? No, I don’t think it is. But we are still all equals and it is not our place to be God. We are here to support our fellow believers, not turn them away.

Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

This passage does not even distinguish that only believers are equal, but all people. Christ simply makes us ALL one and ALL equal.

For those that disagree, I’ll leave you here with:

Matthew 7 : “Stop judging so that you will not be judged. ² Otherwise, you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. The standards you use for others will be applied to you. ³ So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to another believer, ‘Let me take the piece of sawdust out of your eye,’ when you have a beam in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to remove the piece of sawdust from another believer’s eye. (NOG)