Omission

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,
and doeth it not, to him it is sin”
James 4:17

Omission is the fruit of apathy. It is the result of a false gospel that demotivates us to act. Our personal involvement is the shining forth of His Life through us. The non-involved life is a life centered on self, one that withdraws from an active life of faith, of reaching out into the world around. It leads to a sequestered existence, safe and insulated from the personal ventures of faith.

“That the communication of thy faith
may become effectual…”
Philemon 1:6

Paul’s prayer for Philemon was that his faith would be communicated to others with an effect. The communication of an effectual faith leaves an effect on the lives of others because it carries the life and power of the Author. Those active in the ministrations of His Life feel the immensity of the responsibility to walk in such a way that there be an actual communication or impartation of the living Christ through their words, their works, and their very lives. The impotency and indifference of many people today regarding their “faith” reveals an appalling attitude that they are “increased with goods and have need of nothing”. This “comfort zone” is a gospel of grace with no sense of laying down their lives for the uplifting of Him. It is easier to give money and resources to someone else to do that. It is easy to labor for the unrighteous money of this world yet be careless with heavenly treasures. We are too prone to ignore the promptings of the Spirit of God to involve ourselves in the lives of others. It is easier to “pray” about things than to pour ourselves out for others. There is a cost to obedience. We have invented a way to insulate ourselves from this dilemma of accountability; a gospel is woven with the falsity of devilish reasoning: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” A non-involved life is a selfish one.

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,
and doeth it not, to him it is sin”
James 4:17

Religion often has the correct understanding yet is powerlessness in the realm of doing. Many know the right things and understand the words of Life. Yet their faith is one of the words without the power and motivation of Love. They believe in the tenets of faith with no valid expression of the LIFE of faith.

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing,
nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh* by love”
Galatians 5:6
(a faith that produces the works of love)

John in his epistles constantly prods the people of God in his day unto love and good works. The Book of Revelation declares to each location of the One Church that God is beholding “their works”. It is the works of life that show evidence of faith in that life. “I know thy works” is the Word of God to every Church.

“My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth”
1 John 3:18

One deed that springs forth from the Love of God is worth far more than the confessions and proclamations of a thousand sterile lives. Jesus saw the “two mites” of the one who gave of her living rather than the rich offerings of those who appeased their conscience with words and platitudes. A life uninvolved with the lost, the wayward, and the stagnant, is a life uninvolved with God.

Omission is the revelation of an inert and lethargic life. It is the one sin that is easily ignored but which paves the road to spiritual bankruptcy.

“Thou wicked and slothful servant…”
Matthew 25:26

The sin of the one to whom the one talent had been given was the great sin of omission; the sin of doing nothing with the great and unmerited gift placed in his trust. The resulting eternal judgment was one of loss and sorrow. Those faithful to the gifts given to them were rewarded with ruling and reigning in God’s coming Kingdom. The truths of His gifts given to each of us are eternal issues. Faithfulness now brings great reward in the unveiling of His Kingdom then.

“Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me,
to repay to each man according to his work.”
Revelation 22:20 (ESV)

Spiritual Decay – C.P. Thwing

Brian Troxel