By Rev. Gilbert Burgess
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17
Earlier in the text, around the eighth verse, James says that life is trivial, fragile and a “mist” or “vapor” — disappearing — and that we don’t know what tomorrow will be. Therefore, we cannot be the master of our own destiny. James critiques those of us who make plans without consulting God, pointing out that it’s insanity to believe that we are self-sufficient, and transitions to a call to duty in the present.
Do you have a heart of action? Or do you basically just speak rhythmic sounds, with dramatic performances, of outwardly religious actions of crafted works, void of good, productive, actions?
James, in Chapter 4, highlights his brother Jesus’s teachings by stating that simply not doing harm is insufficient. Rather, we must actively do good. James mirrors Jesus’s call to love all people equally. Jesus commands equality by mandating proactive, impartial love for one another.
In Jesus’s early ministry, James was a skeptic. But then, after Jesus was rejected and despised, betrayed, crucified, and risen, James became one of the first-century church’s strongest leaders.
And he declared that failure to uphold justice, failure to treat others equally, ignoring the needs of others, and prejudice against others are direct sins of omission. Knowing the right thing to do, he says, and not doing it is sin.
A sin of omission is a failure to do something good or right that is commanded or required and is within your power to perform. James brings to our attention the urgent duty of using the present moment for God’s glory, and the gravity of “sins of omission.”
James exhorted his listeners then, and I exhort you now, to not to let “another sun rise” before a task or a service of good is complete.
Because “the time is short,” James 4:17 is a call to immediate action, a warning against the “arrogance” of planning a future without God. James raises awareness of the fact that true wisdom and power is recognizing our dependence on Gods divine will.
Because if you are truly going to do good works, you must consult the one who knows what tomorrow holds. Presenting your plans before the Lord positions you to light your tomorrow with today’s good actions.
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” The sin of omission is neglecting moral responsibilities, which is just as sinful as committing a wrong action.
And, with actions that are God’s will. all plans become good “if it is the will of God.” It’s qualified to be the right thing to do. “If it is the will of God,” your words are no longer used as a vocalized catchphrase, but they become a lifestyle of witnessing to the goodness of God.
James warns us that knowing the right thing to do and not doing it is sin. If God puts a good intent in your heart, you are expected to translate it into action.
And if you want to put good intent, your words into actions that reflect the goodness of God.
You need to have your mind right, if you’re going to reflect God’s character and heart. Consider what Paul says in Philippians 4:8. He talks about praiseworthy things that we are to actively meditate on. Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable — Paul says that meditating on these things cultivates a mindset that promotes a mental well-being by replacing negativity with constructive, virtuous thoughts.
This is because they are God-honoring thoughts, fostering peace within and positive action.
Paul also noted in Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is love, joy, peace, not giving up, being kind, being good, having faith, being gentle, and being the boss over our own desires. The law is not against these things.
With the Holy Spirit living within, His transformational power mandates an outward obedience to actively carry out the divine instructions given by God. He, the Holy Spirit, helps us carry our daily responsibility and fulfill God’s purpose.
Action speaks louder than words, and your actions must happen at once, rather than putting them off or waiting for a “future time that may never come to pass”
When the Holy Spirit is nudging you to do good that you know you should do — like forgiving someone, or being long-suffering and not giving up on someone, or showing kindness — Brothers and Sisters, children of God, we must embrace the reality that we are ambassadors demonstrating “The Goodness of God,” by demonstrating our faithfulness in Him to work a miracle through us in the lives of others.
So when the Holy Spirit moves your spirit to have self-control, trust God, and exercise restraint over your desires, thoughts and actions, by bringing them into alignment with God’s will rather than yielding to the impulses of worldly pride, allow the power of the Holy Spirit to master your emotions. Self control, in most situations, can be a common denominator that determines a positive or negative outcome, and good deeds or good works require the right attitude.
Remember: Action that speaks louder than words must happen at once, rather than waiting for a “tomorrow, a time that may never come to pass.” So start today with actions of good works, not sound bites or catchphrases, but actions that are in line with the will of God ,which never disregards the welfare of others.
Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
And on Calvary, He put His words into action and saved a wretch like me.
Always remember that in order to fulfill our daily obligations, we too must apply actions, not just words. Start today with actions of obedience to God’s will, with an understanding that actions are more important than religious regulations.
James 4:17: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them”.
Action Speaks Louder Than Words.
Rev. Gilbert Burgess is the pastor at Community Baptist Church. View his digital business card at: popl.co/profile/18EhED1D/dash.
