TruthPoints
07-04-08

    All sin may be grouped into one of two categories; sins of commission and sins of omission.  A sin of commission is doing what God forbids.  A sin of omission is failing to do what God commands.  Addressing the latter, The Apostle James declares, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”  (James 4:17)
    What does that mean? It means, if you know that a thing is right, but you do not do it, then for you, that is sin, the sin of omitting to do right.
    Too often, Christians think that sins of omission are somehow less serious than sins of commission.  It is often believed that God is very serious about our doing what He forbids but overlooks our failing to do what He commands.  Obviously, according to the Scriptures, those who believe this are misinformed.
    For instance, if you were walking downtown and saw a man lying on the sidewalk in a drunken stupor, you would assume he was doing that which God forbids and you would be right; “Do not be drunk with wine” (Ephesians 5:18a).
    On the other hand, if you were walking downtown and you were not filled with the Holy Spirit, you might believe your failing to do what God commands is somehow less serious and will be overlooked by God, who said, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18b).
    Do you see the point?  Both, sins of commission and sins of omission, are equally serious, equally wicked, and equally condemned in God’s sight!  Failure to pray, failure to mediate on God’s Word daily, failure to faithfully attend the worship services at your church, failure to make disciples, failure to love your neighbor, failure to forgive, and many more commands from our Lord are taken lightly by believers but are never taken lightly by Christ.
    It is my contention that until believers get serious about obedience, on every level, the church will never experience all God intends for her.  We claim to have genuine faith but, as Rev. Jack Taylor often said, “Obedience is the evidence and the expression of our faith”.
    My challenge for each of us today is simply this; walk in obedience to all of God’s Word.  Obey that which is explicitly stated and that which is implicitly stated, and God’s blessings will be poured out in abundance on you, your family, and your church.

Have a blessed day,
Pastor David