In the context of the Bible, the term "misses" is not directly referenced as a specific word or concept. However, the idea of missing or falling short is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often associated with sin, failure, or the need for redemption. Theologically, "misses" can be understood as the human tendency to fall short of God's standards, which is a central aspect of the biblical narrative.

Sin and Missing the Mark

The concept of sin in the Bible is often described as "missing the mark." The Hebrew word for sin, "chata," and the Greek word "hamartia" both carry the connotation of missing a target or failing to reach a goal. This imagery is used to illustrate humanity's inability to live up to the perfect standards set by God. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse encapsulates the idea that all humans have "missed" the mark of divine perfection.

Examples of Missing in Scripture

1. Adam and Eve: The first instance of missing God's command is found in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of disobedience represents a fundamental "miss" in adhering to God's command, resulting in the fall of humanity.

2. Israel's Failures: Throughout the Old Testament, the nation of Israel repeatedly misses the mark by failing to keep God's commandments. Judges 2:11-12 illustrates this pattern: "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt."

3. Peter's Denial: In the New Testament, Peter's denial of Jesus is a poignant example of missing the mark of faithfulness. Despite his earlier promises of loyalty, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75). This incident highlights human frailty and the tendency to miss the mark even with the best intentions.

Redemption and Restoration

While the Bible acknowledges human failure, it also emphasizes God's provision for redemption. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament provide a means for humanity to be restored despite their misses. Hebrews 9:28 states, "so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him."

The Role of Grace

Grace is a key theme in addressing the concept of missing the mark. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that while humans may miss the mark, God's grace provides a path to salvation that is not dependent on human effort.

Encouragement to Persevere

The Bible encourages believers to persevere despite their shortcomings. Philippians 3:13-14 advises, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." This exhortation serves as a reminder that while believers may miss the mark, they are called to continue striving toward spiritual maturity and the fulfillment of God's purposes.(n.) Plural of Miss.6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint
... 1), gave (1), had the oversight (1), lack (1), longed (1), look (1), made him overseer
(2), made them overseers (1), miss (2), missed (3), misses me at all (1 ...
/hebrew/6485.htm - 7k

A Threefold Disease and a Twofold Cure.
... in our version 'sin,' if I may recur to my former illustration, looks at the snake
from a different point of view, and it declares that all sin misses the aim. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a threefold disease and a.htm

First Sunday in Lent
... What it strikes, it strikes; what it misses, it misses. It does not return, nor
does it stand still. The sun and heat follow and dry it up. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday in lent.htm

The Bad Squire
... 'Our daughters with base-born babies Have wandered away in their shame, If your
misses had slept, squire, where they did, Your misses might do the same. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the bad squire.htm

The Lost Sheep.
... 1. The shepherd misses one when it has strayed from the flock. ... It is thus that the
Good Shepherd knows the flock. Knowing all, he misses any one that wanders. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxii the lost sheep.htm

Writing Blotted Out and Mist Melted
... So that it is always a blunder to be bad, and every arrow that is drawn by a sinful
hand misses the target to which all our arrows should be pointed, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/writing blotted out and mist.htm

To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... For just as impatience gives much pleasure to the devil and to one's own lower nature,
and revels in nothing but anger when it misses what the lower nature ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna agnese who was.htm

A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
... So doubly, all transgression is folly, and the true name for the doer is 'Thou fool!'
For every evil misses the mark which, regard being had to the man's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a threefold thought of sin.htm

David's Cry for Pardon
... must be a failure. Sin misses the aim if we think of our proper destination.
Sin misses its own aim of happiness. A man never gets ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for pardon.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... But what is it he misses? ... He misses something, and O it is a great something, infinitely
more than he is worth in the world! He wants being and well being. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm

Foreword
... EH Nichols, Frank L. Brown, Eugene C. Foster, William C. Johnston, William H. Danforth,
SF Shattuck, RA Waite, Mrs. MS Lamoreaux, and the Misses Minnie E ...
//christianbookshelf.org/alexander/the boy and the sunday school/foreword.htm

Misses (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Miss. Multi-Version Concordance
Misses (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 20:6 If thy father miss ...
/m/misses.htm - 7k

Missed (13 Occurrences)

/m/missed.htm - 10k

Misseth (1 Occurrence)

/m/misseth.htm - 6k

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