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
