The Sin of Omission

By:  M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

97030

06/29/97 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  Introduction

A.   The Bible is full of exhortations to "do" the will of the Lord.  It is easy to see that Christ expects mankind to follow His will in order to have hope of eternal life.

1.     for example, we hear of scriptures:

a.     Mt. 7:21-23

b.     Jhn. 14:15; 21

2.     many of us spend the majority of our lives striving to "do" the will of the Lord.

3.     Certainly, when compared to the rest of the world, we are to be commended.

B.    But today, we want to spend some time talking about "The Sin of Omission."

1.     I like to listen to country music.  Several years ago, there was a song by Linda Ronstat: "It's Not What You Did, but What You Didn't Do."

2.     Many times we are concentrated on doing, that we overlook other important things.

C.    In fact, the sin of omission is a grave oversight by many, many Christians today.

1.     Personal example:  I find myself hurling along so fast, concentrated on one thing that I forget to consider the other things I should do, but for some reason never get around to doing.

2.     Let us evaluate our lives before God

3.     The very fact that we can overlook something, or omit something should cause each one of us to have a spirit of humbleness among us.

a.     the exhortation of Paul in 1 Cor. 10:12 comes to mind.

b.     We can read that statement all we like, but we must be willing to do this when it comes down to it.  - must be willing to examine ourselves.

c.     How do the "best" people in business, sports, etc. b/c better?

1.     by constantly examining themselves

2.     not being apathetic about changes that need to be made - they get right on it - want to excel no matter what.

D.   Let us consider the sin of omission.  Hope you will open bibles and not only listen to the lesson, but also apply the lesson to your life.

 

II.  The Principle of the Matter

A.   Rom. 3:23 - for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

1.     The word "sin" comes from a Greek word which means to "miss the mark."

2.     For example in archery - one aims at the target and misses it - or the mark.

a.     where we get our word for "marksmanship."

b.     As Christians we are striving to point our lives in the direction of Christ.  He is our target.  His standard is what we live by.

c.     Sometimes we fall short of that standard.

1.     either on purpose or by not knowing.

3.  when we fail to engage in things we should, we fall short of the glory of God.

B.    This statement/principle further demonstrated in James 4:17.

1.     have you ever realized that you could do perform some act of good - but for some reason did not do it?

a.     sometimes justify it by excuses, too busy, etc.

b.     procrastinate

2.     we can all think of examples & probably things we have neglected in the past.

a.      some have come to the conclusion when reading this verse:  "that the ability to do good in any case imposes an obligation to do it."

1.     if we have the opportunity to promote a good cause - forward our example for Christ - but do not - it is sin.

2.     If we have opp. To help one in need & don't do it - it is sin.

3.     If we have opp. To spread gospel in our neighborhood, county, and other places, it is sin.

a.     individuals not only have the responsibility, but the congregation does too.

b.     This congregation better examine itself.

1.       are we doing all we possibly can to promote the gospel with the resources we have?

2.       If we aren't doing what we can - we better change NOW!

b.  the way of Christianity is to do good.  Not only to ourselves, but to others as well.

C.    Jesus talks about the problem of omission in Lk. 12:47-48.

1.     v. 47 - talking about the one who knew what his master wanted him to do.

a.     the one who knows what God commands & requires

b.     this person is going to have much more to answer for than someone who didn't know.

2.     those of us who have privileges, who know we ought to do this or that will give an answer if we do not do it.

a.     v. 48b again…

b.     we know what we can do.  If there is something within our ability to do - my friends we better do it.

D.   This leads one to the book of Matthew.  Chapter 23:23

1.     one of the problems of the Jewish people was they only did that which they wanted to.

a.     that which was more difficult or unpleasant - they omitted.  Pretended that it wasn't even there.

b.     V. 23

2.     Christ exposes their hypocrisy.  Are we hypocritical today?

3.     Isn't it possible that we could be guilty of the very same thing?

a.     something that we know we need to do, but for some reason just don't do it?

b.     Last sentence of v. 23 - these you ought to have done, w/o leaving the others undone.

c.     Christ expects us to attempt to do all we can for Him!

E.    Consider Mt. 25:24-30 - what was this man's sin?

1.     it was what he didn't do.

a.     notice:  excuse didn't cut it with his master.

1.      many with false security of excuses will work with Lord.

a.     but lord

b.     well, I couldn't do that, because…

c.     I'm only human

b.     v. 29 - do what we need to do - blessed; we will suffer if we don't.

2.  penalty:  v. 30

F.    Last example found in 1 Sam. 15:3,9, 13-23 - with Saul.

1.     Saul given direct command in v.3  utterly destroy everything they had.  Do not spare them.

a.     v.9 - action of saul - did he fulfill commandment of the Lord?

b.     He omitted that which he didn't want to do & still claimed that he had obeyed God. - v.13

2.     penalty:  v.22-23

3.     you see - we are responsible for that which we omit on purpose!  No matter if we do all sorts of good in it's place - to cover it up!

 

III.  We Must Understand that it is not only a matter of "Thou Shalt Not."

A.    We glorify ourselves by "I don't do that;" "I don't do this;" but what am I doing for the Lord?

1.     a 50-50 requirement.  Must eliminate bad but must do that which is good & proper!

a.     Christianity not all about quitting vices and habits - but adding virtue and good deeds.

b.     Eph. 4:31-32 - both positive & negative

1.     do we "do" the things in v. 32?

2.     Not always easy

c.     Gal. 6:9-10

B.     we must not spend all our time & energy eliminating the negative.  We must devote attention to accentuating the positive.

1.     which are you doing?

 

IV.           Common Sins of Omission.

A.   A regular prayer life.

1.     one of the greatest battles going on in my life right now!  Seems like I can't get back in the habit of prayer as I should

2.     in prep for this lesson ran across a scripture never read before… 1 Sam. 12:23

a.     Saul about to annoint Saul as king over Israel - He is about to stand down and become the last judge of Israel.

b.     v.23

c.     to cease prayer cause one to fall short of the glory of God!

B.    Not loving everyone.

1.     do we possess love for one another?  Considered important?  God does!

a.     1 Jhn. 3:14-15

b.     are you doing this?

2.     must put away petty differences & be truly concerned about others.  Some brethren never demonstrate one ounce of love toward others.  (never go out of their way…)

a.     v.18

b.     are you doing this?

c.     demonstrate love by action!

C.    Failure to assemble

1.     not a tremendous problem at Cyclone.  But can we improve?

2.     Are there times we miss services when we could be here?

a.     well known passage - Heb. 10:24-27

b.     if you miss on purpose - willingly - you are not thankful for what God has done for you.

1.     if you really were thankful - you'd be here.

2.     this is a serious matter.

D.   Not Growing Spiritually

1.     is this a priority in your life?

2.     2 Pet. 1:3-11

a.     v.5 - give all diligence.  Not to be approached lightly

1.     only way to be faithful in the Lord?  By growing up in Christ - v.8

2.     are you growing as Peter describes here and in 3:18?

b.      How many Christians like what is written in v.9?  & know to do better?

3.  short sighted?  Blind?

4.  how many take it for granted that their sins have been forgiven?  How many consider lightly what Christ did for us and never proceed?

5.  Js. 4:17 - remember!

E.    Not Bearing Fruit

1.     what does it mean to "bear fruit" for the Lord?

a.      one scholar:  "to show by our lives that we are under the religion of Christ."

b.     Paul identifies the fruit of the spirit in Gal. 5:22-23

2.     Jhn. 15:8 - have to bear fruit:

a.     be faithful in good works

b.     be zealous, humble, always abounding in the work of the Lord!

3.     Are we abounding in the work of the Lord?

a.     "abound" defined as:  "to be plentiful in amount."  "to be fully supplied."

b.     Cant' be sluggish & abound!

4.     penalty to those who don't bear fruit:  v. 2

5.     are you in danger of being "cut off?"

F.    Other sins of omission to be aware of:

1.     not helping those in need.

a.     Mt. 25:42-43

b.     Phil. 2:3-4

2.     not being patient & longsuffering with others

3.     not forgiving one another

4.     not singing with the heart

5.     not confessing openly that we are Christians

6.     not being a godly person

7.     not submitting to the gov't.

8.     these are things that we need to take notice of!

 

V.  Conclusion

A.   we sin when we do not obey the gospel!  Js. 4:17

1.     the good thing - the best thing we could ever do, is obey the gospel

2.     why delay anylonger?

B.    obey by:

1.     b/l, repent, confess, baptism

2.     do it today/ w/o delay!

C.    we sin when we refuse to correct things which are wrong in our lives.

1.      how many Christians are unfaithful by refusing to irradiate the sin which is in their life?

2.      Why continue?  Lk. 12:47  Turn today!

D.  Subject?  Please come!