Read James 4:17

So then, if you know the good you ought to do and don’t do it, you sin. (James 4:17)

James moves on from the sin of boasting to the sin of omission – failing to do good. Normally we think of sin as the wrong things we do – sins of commission. We pay less attention to our failure to do what we know to be good. This also is sin.

“I know I should have good thoughts about her – but I dislike her so much!” “I know that I should have kept silent – but the words just slipped out of my mouth!” “I know that I should read my bible regularly and pray for certain people – but I only do this occasionally!” “I know that I should have visited my friend in hospital – but I could not make the time!” “I know that I should have sent her an sms on her birthday – but I forgot!” “I know that I should be preparing the Sunday School lesson – but I prefer to watch TV!” “I know I should be on time for the Sunday service – but so often I am late!” “I know I should go to bed at a certain time – but I have so many things to do!” And so the list goes on and on.

The whole question boils down to the Lordship of Christ in our lives. As we grow in our walk with the Lord we become more sensitive as to what He wants us to think, speak and do. However there is still so much self in our lives that, even when we know the Lord’s will in a particular situation, we are so absorbed in our own situation that, consciously or unconsciously, we fail to obey Him. We prefer to follow the example of Frank Sinatra who always wanted to do things “my way”. And this is sin.

May we be willing to know and to do what is good.

This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.

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