14th November 2024

14th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 4v17)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Do you know the difference between sins of omission and commission? Before we answer, let’s remind ourselves of a tried and tested definition of sin. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks “What is sin?” before answering “Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.”


With that stated, what is a sin of commission? A sin of commission describes something sinful that we have done. For example, the slanderous gossip which poured from our lips is a sin of commission - we have committed an act which does not conform to God’s law or breaks it altogether. A sin of omission on the other hand describes something that we have failed or omitted to do.


In today’s verse James states that “whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (v17). James has already stressed in this letter that we are to be hearers and doers of the Word. It is therefore inconceivable that we would hear God’s voice and then simply ignore what He says.


What has the Lord said in James 4? Submit yourselves to God (v7). Resist the Devil (v7b). Draw near to God (v8). Be active in repentance (v8b). Walk through seasons of lament (v9). Humble yourselves (v10). Do not speak evil against one another (v11). Do not judge your neighbour (v12). Do not boast about tomorrow (v13).


Just as it is good for us to say “If the Lord wills” (v15) I think it is also healthy for us to ask “What does the Lord require?”. We can sit through endless sermons, read the latest Christian books and even attend excellent Christian conferences but if we are mere hearers of the Word then we deceive ourselves. Instead we should respond to every sermon, Bible study and daily devotion by asking “What does the Lord require? How can I apply this verse? What difference does this make?”


Brothers and sisters, may we listen well to the precious Word of God and when the time for hearing is done, may we go and do. Flee from sin, if you know the right thing to do then do it. For Christ’s sake. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q35 What is sanctification? Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
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