GUILTY BY COMMISSION OR OMMISION?
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(I John 1:8)
One writer asked the pertinent question, “We tend to focus on sins of commission—the wrong we do. But what about sins of omission—the good we fail to do?” [From TWFT/GSAF]. God’s Word reveals several categories of sin that we need to recognise.
Sins of Ommision
Omitting to do what's expected. e.g. Knowing what good to do and not doing it (James 4:17). Jesus told His listeners, “I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.” (Matt.25: 43-43).
Failure to fulfil our indebtedness. e.g. The man who was put out of a wedding because he had no wedding garment. ‘Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness...“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:13-14)
Omitting to do what's expected. e.g. Knowing what good to do and not doing it (James 4:17). Jesus told His listeners, “I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.” (Matt.25: 43-43).
Failure to fulfil our indebtedness. e.g. The man who was put out of a wedding because he had no wedding garment. ‘Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness...“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:13-14)
Unintentional and wrongly motivated slips. e.g. The five virgins who were excluded from the wedding party because they had no oil in their lamps. ‘Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps...And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.’ (Matt. 25:3-4, 10)
Pride. e.g. The king who lifted his heart before God. ‘...Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:21-23)
Sins of Commission.
Deliberate violation of specific rule. e.g. The prophet’s servant who yielded to greed. ‘But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” (II Kings 5:20).
Lying. e.g. The couple who conspired to hide the truth. ‘And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?’ (Acts 5:2-3).
Deliberate disobedience and rebellion e.g. The servant who despised and violated his lord’s benevolence. “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ (Matthew 25:24-25)
Sins of Commission.
Deliberate violation of specific rule. e.g. The prophet’s servant who yielded to greed. ‘But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” (II Kings 5:20).
Lying. e.g. The couple who conspired to hide the truth. ‘And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?’ (Acts 5:2-3).
Deliberate disobedience and rebellion e.g. The servant who despised and violated his lord’s benevolence. “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ (Matthew 25:24-25)
Anger e.g. Violent act of dishonour or vengeance. ‘Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly...Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not...hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:11-12).
However, the good news is that there’s forgiveness for all forms of confessed and forsaken sin. We have the example of the condemned sinner by the side of Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:40-43), and that of King David who committed adultery and murder concurrently (2Sam. 12:9,13). These show that there is forgiveness for even the most gruesome of sins once there’s confession and repentance. Apostle John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
So, where do you stand, my dear reader?
©OO-I. Olusegunisaac.blogspot.com
Links to my EBooks:
~https://selar.co/m/olusegun-isaac
~https://rightwaybooks.com/profile/olusegun-isaac
~https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/olusegun-isaac
📕Books profile:
Ø MIRIAM - From grass to grace
Ø ONE THOUSAND CHORUSES - Singing worship better
Ø DEEPER WORSHIP - In Spirit and in truth
Ø RENEWED BLOOD - Journey to Sickle Cell healing.
Comments
Post a Comment