The works of the flesh are evident, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Sin in many forms is easily seen. Some things we can point at and say that’s a sin, a transgression of God’s law. But what about those sins that are not clearly seen? We may call them sins of omission. 

This proverbial phrase from James is expressed by wise men through the ages, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The Mishnah stated, “By three things the world is sustained: by the study of the Law, by worship, and by deeds of charity.” Faithfulness to God cannot be maintained by the things that Christians do not do. The follower of Christ is different.

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40). 

To be idle when a good deed is necessary is a sin before God. James tells us that life is complex and uncertain, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15). There are events and circumstances that happen throughout our lives that provide for the opportunities to do good. To neglect doing them when you know you should, could danger your soul! We may agree with James in theory about life, we must take advantage of today!

Today is the day of salvation! “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1, 2).

“Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:6, 7). 

Life is a gift from God, we need to use it to His glory!

By: Justin Odom