The Greek word for sin means missing the mark and forfeiting the prize. In the Olympics, you get disqualified if you run out of your lane. We are running a race to win a prize that is uniquely our own prize. If we get out of our lane and start running in somebody else’s lane, running after their prize, then we are in sin. We are missing the mark because we are not hitting for the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus set before us. We forfeit that price by being out of place and running in the wrong race.

They are trying to compete for the same stage. They are trying to compete for the same position. Instead, we need to stop and ask, “Where do I need to position myself for God to maximize my influence and function in the body of Christ.”

If we unite in the unity of the faith into the full stature of Christ. If we lay aside ourselves. If we focus on what God has called us to do. If we humble ourselves to be positioned according to God’s purpose. Nothing is impossible to a church that is committed to unity for a single purpose.

We have become political and position oriented. We have lost sight of our lives being offered as sacrifices to the glory of God. We have focused on behavior modification. We try to get people to conform to our way of worship, our way of dress, our way, and our style of service.

Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We can come boldly into his presence, each of us, individually. We do not need to put on a mask. We do not need to put on a façade. We do not need to compete with somebody else for a position in the throne room of God. We individually and personally have the opportunity to enter that throne room through grace.

When we are competing for earthly things and worldly positions, we step out of the realm of the heavenly. We stepped out of the Kingdom of Heaven and started competing for earthly realms. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. When competing for worldly things, we are competing against the one who overcame the world and now has dominion over everything.

If we stop competing for worldly titles and things and position ourselves before His thrown in unity. Seeking first the Kingdom of heaven and His righteousness, all these other things will be added to us.

The Kingdom of heaven is about standing before the throne of God with boldness, united together in love.