The Sin of Omission

James 4:17

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.(KJV)

Are you guilty? I know I am much too often. Guess what folks, James is hitting 99% of the Christian community where it is at right now as well as in his time. And guess where he got that principle from.

. Yep, the scriptures. Let’s look at some scriptures.

First Let us look at New Testament Scriptures.

Matt 5:16

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.(KJV)

What good works do you do that glorify God?

Matt 5:44

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;(KJV)

Are you doing that?

Matt 7:17

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.(KJV)

Are you bringing forth any fruit and is it good? Fruit in this verse is referring to two things, your character and your actions.

Matt 12:35

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.(KJV)

Same application as for Matt 7:17

Acts 9:36

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.(KJV)

Dorcas was a real example of one who did good works-she did not avoid or put off doing good things when she saw she could do them or knew God was giving her the assignment to do them through His power. She knew the truth of the following verse:

2 Cor 9:8

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:(KJV)

Eph 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.(KJV)

If you aren’t busy doing those good things God would have you do, better get with it. Don’t omit doing those things when you know you should be busy doing them.

2 Tim 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.(KJV)

Are you omitting getting into the Word of God? How can you be "thoroughly furnished unto all good works" then?

Heb 13:16

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.(KJV)

Is it a sacrifice for you to do good works for others rather than omitting them?

I Jn 3:17

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?(KJV)

Deut 15:7

7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:(KJV)

Have you omitted to help the folks you see in need?

Exod 22:5

5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.(KJV)

Here is an example of what should be done if someone uses something of others. The person at fault should not fail to make restitution to the other person-otherwise he is committing a sin of omission.

Exod 22:14

14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.(KJV)

Same principle as verse 5 above.

Exod 23:4

4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.(KJV)

Do you help your neighbor get his dog back, etc. when you see him running loose? Do you let your neighbor know if you spot something wrong in his yard-like something missing, or some taking something.

Exod 23:5

5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.(KJV)

How about helping him change a tire on his car? Are you going to omit doing that? Do you omit helping the person you see burdened down with problems, physcial things, etc. Remember the excuse that Cain gave in his question-"Am I my brother’s keeper?" God tells us in Galatians,

Gal 6:2

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.(KJV)

So what is God telling you today? What is your conscience pointing out that you have been neglecting to do? Let me encourage you today, fulfil the law of Christ which is to love your neighbor (and family and everyone else) and you won’t be committing those sins of omission.

II Th 2:16-17

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.(KJV)

That covers the lesson/message of today.  God bless you this weekend.  The Good News Lady