Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- August 6, 2012
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17
What is a sin of omission? A sin of omission is passive permission for wrong. It does nothing when something needs to be said or done. It gives a pass to people or situations that require sticky confrontation. Sometimes the silence of good people makes them bad people. Their inertia of integrity condones unrighteous conduct. A sin of omission can be more damaging than a sin of commission. A quiet friend can be worse than a loud enemy.
We who are people of the Lord’s light know better than those who grope in darkness. The bar of behavior is higher for those of us who believe in Jesus. Thus, we do not have the option of the proverbial ostrich to place our informed heads in the sand of irresponsibility. Because we know better how to make things better, we better be better. It’s when we take responsibility to confront, clarify and communicate that we become a catalyst for Christ.
“Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” John 9:41
Has fear caused you to shy away from saying something that may cause consternation? It is better to experience some pain sooner that extreme pain later. Has anger kept you from allowing those who love you to love you? Choose to open up, risk rejection and experience the joy of sweet acceptance. Have you withheld forgiveness to inflict hurt on another’s heart? Initiate mercy and you will receive mercy, peace and forgiveness. Love initiates.
Omit sins of omission and you will move beyond immaturity and ignorance. It takes courage and faith to become an overcomer of omission. Be quick to confess and repent of subtle sins and slow to seek selfish avoidance. Good people, who do nothing, invite sin’s influence to infiltrate the culture. So, trust the Lord and give information and opportunity to those who need you. Folly frustrates, but wisdom and grace are freeing.
Furthermore, your heavenly Father has not withheld His love for you. He receives you just as you are. Your omniscient, omnipresent Creator—by His Spirit—has revealed His knowledge in Scripture and has provided His comforting presence in prayer. He understands your struggles and offers spiritual, practical solutions. Jesus empowers you to overcome errant omissions with courageous faith that commissions righteousness.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the courage to confront my passive sins with active righteousness.
Related Readings: Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Ezekiel 33:31; Proverbs 21:13; 1 John 3:16-18
Post/Tweet this today: Love initiates. #initiate #love
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Good Word. It wounds then it heals beautifully.
This is so good! It is something i have never really given a lot of thought to, but i sure will from now on. Thank you for this insightful devotional.
Hey Amy Cobb. . . I get these by email (do you?) and I really enjoy them. . . They “step on my toes” sometimes, but. . . .
I do, Susan Dedrick-Shuford…and sometimes they are a KITS…like Rhonda Howeth used to say! 🙂