Do The Good

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:17, ESV)

Remember when we thought that all we had to do was to not do wrong things?  It seemed so much simpler then, after all, we like to know what is “out” so we can stay away from it and be thought of as good. I mean there is nothing like a good “do not list” that we can adhere to and then feel good about ourselves, if we can manage it. But at some point we find out that it is not enough to not do bad stuff, we must also do good stuff. 

Take for example Ephesians 4:28, NIV:

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Not only is the thief to deal with his sin (stealing), he is to become gainfully employed (thereby dealing with the reason), and he is then to then help others in need so they won’t resort to stealing. This is getting a bit more complicated than a “do list” and “do not list”.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I can see stopping the stealing and getting a job, but then having to give to others so they won’t steal? My old nature does not like that!  But, of course, we are not called to live out of our old nature but out of our new nature.

Ephesians 4:28 tells us we are to deal with our sins, be gainfully employed, helping others and helping them get on the right path. But it is not a list we follow, for we may as well be under the Law if we are going to do “lists”. It is a matter of the heart sensitized to God, the mind renewed by the Word, and living a transformed life that is offered as a living sacrifice to God - lived for Him and His purposes.

We know it is a sin to do wrong things, but the Word also tells us that it is a sin to not do the right things we know to do. It is always in season to be obedient to the Word and the Holy Spirit, and to not do so is wrong.

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”Eph 4:28, NLT