August 6, 2020

Brothers and Sisters,

(James 4:17)  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

We all are well aware of what sin is.  We’ve been taught from our youth the ten commandments, honor thy father and thy mother, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness (lie), thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not commit adultery, etc.  However, the most overlooked sin in our life is knowing to do good and then not doing it.  We call this the “sin of omission”.  This is the sin that is so often overlooked in our lives, but it’s still just as serious as committing any of the other sins.

What is the “sin of omission”?  Well, it’s actually pretty simple.  When we know to do good and neglect to do it then it is sin.  For instance, we all know that it is good to pray, read and study the Bible, attend church, and the list can go on and on.  When we neglect to do these things then they become sin in our lives.

How about when Jesus said for us to love our enemies?  (Matthew 5:43-48)  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

This is where the rubber meets the road.  We’re getting down to the nitty gritty.  Remember when I said the other day that being a Christian is not for wimps.  Well living the Christian life is not an easy (rest on your laurels) kind of life.  I could give you plenty of other examples where we have been instructed in God’s Word to do good that may not exactly line up with our natural way of thinking.  For instance, how about when Jesus told us to turn the other cheek.

You may be saying preacher it is impossible for me to be perfect, but is that an excuse for not at least trying?  Once we know to do good, does it not bear to reason for us to at least try and do it?  I realize that left on our own that it is not within our power to be able to do a lot of these things, but that is the great blessing of being a Christian.  We have Christ living on the inside of us and this should separate or make us different from the rest of this world.  (Colossians 1:27)  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  If we will only allow him to have full charge and control of our lives, He will live His life through us and He has the power to do all of these things that He has instructed us to do in His Word. 

This is the greatest witness we can ever have in this world.  For others to see Christ in our lives.  (Matthew 5:16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

So, let’s purpose in our heart to go about doing good to everyone.  (1 Thessalonians 5:15)  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Bro. Rick