LEARNING DAILY

James 4:17, So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Walking the narrow way is not only a matter of knowing what is right, it is about doing what is right. For the most part when sin is thought about, it is those outward acts that violates God’ love and His law (usually the Ten Commandments). That is called sins of commission. However, there are also sins of omission – not doing what we know we should do. James is writing beyond what he has previously written about living in arrogance, being self-serving, and being faithless.

When looking closely at this verse from James, every Believer needs to make being obedient to the Word of God very personal. It is a challenge to each Believer to take time and reflect about whether he/she is living in unity and in harmony with what he/she knows is good and right. Are you simply aware of what is right, or are you taking the necessary steps to put that knowledge into practice?

James is clear that inaction is a sin. James is calling each Believer to self-evaluation and accountability. It is easy to respond to the teaching of God’s Word philosophically (in theory) without making any changes. It is easy to look at others and think this biblical teaching is for them. One may even enjoy Bible studies where discussion is held on the meaning of biblical ideas and principles. But if one only discusses and “ponders” the Word of God, he will never become “doers of the Word” (James 1:22); that person will be in sin. Believers are not to just avoid evil; they are morally obligated to do, to actively pursue what they know is good.

What James has written is certainly relevant to Believers today. There are so many needs around us that cannot be ignored. Just being aware of needs does not change anything. It does remind Believers that faith is active, not passive. Are you doing the good you know you should be doing? Doing God’s will requires Believers be aware of God’s will. Often in this blog you have read you need to be reading/studying/ meditating on the Word of God. How else do you get to know God’s will? I am going to take a side road here to give you additional information about reading God’s Word. I received this from a brother – Duane – who lives in Waco, Tx. The clip said the effect of reading your Bible is so important to [your walk on the narrow way]. He gave the following statistics. One to two days per week of reading the Bible has little if any effect on how you live your life. Consistently reading three times per week improves the way you live your life. When you read your Bible at least four times per week you are 228% more likely to share your faith; 407% more likely to memorize Scripture verses; 59% less likely to view pornography; and 30% less likely to struggle with loneliness, depression, or anxiety. If those percentages are correct, those are reasons enough to read the Bible. Consider how your life would change if you read/study/meditate on God’s Word at least four times per week! How much more likely would you pray more, praying God’s will, and doing His will!

In the busyness of life, it is easy to do life without taking time to be in God’s Word and to ignore doing it. Do not write either off by making excuses. Be the family member who supports and encourages the rest of the family. Be the coworker who helps and lifts those around you. Be the friend who takes time to listen. Know that this might be all that lightens up the day of another.