Tag: sins of omission

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.  (James 4:17)
Why is it that people tend to focus on the things we shouldn’t do, rather than the things we should?  In The Word for You Today, the authors remind us that a man was put out of a wedding because he didn’t have on wedding garments, five virgins were excluded from a wedding because they had no oil in their lamps, a servant forfeited a talent because he didn’t do more than bury it in the ground, a rich man who failed to care for his neighbor was condemned for it, and a barren fig tree that failed to produce was cursed and died.  These were not bad things that were done, but good things that were not done–errors of omission rather than commission. Christian people are often tagged with the name, do-gooders–as if that were something bad. And you shall DO what is right and GOOD in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you and that you may GO in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. (Deuteronomy 6:18)  In the New Testament, Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your GOOD works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)   More specifically, in Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus tells the righteous , For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.  And He wasn’t referring to Himself here.  He was talking about the least of his brothers and sisters.  It doesn’t mention anything about the bad things you haven’t done. You and I will always be GOING somewhere.  You and I will always be DOING something.  God tells us to make sure we are always GOING somewhere GOOD … and always DOING something GOOD.  Make sure we are GOING where God has prepared for us to GO and DOING what has prepared for us to DO–God’s way and God’s work.  If we GO God’s way and if we DO God’s work, we will find ourselves going to a very GOOD place in life and doing very GOOD things in life for God and for ourselves. You see, GOOD doesn’t do any good until someone goes and does it.