THE SIN OF OMISSION

THE SIN OF OMISSION

It may not be the evil things Christians do that keep us from heaven, but the things we do not do. Granted, we cannot enter heaven by our works, but faith without deeds is dead (James 2:14-26). Can we influence or be an example to pagans without good deeds? Can we have love in our hearts for our fellow man if we do not show that love by our actions? Can we overcome evil with apathy and spiritual slothfulness? Christianity is not a passive, spectator sport or social event. It is love in action.

In many of the parables that Jesus told, some were not chastened for the evil deeds he had done, but for those things he did not do. Consider the man who buried his talent in the Parable of the Talents, or the two who refused to help the beaten man in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, the servant who was forgiven of a great debt refused to forgive a brother of a small debt. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the prodigal son was not chastised, but the older brother was for not welcoming his brother back.The ten virgins failed to prepared for the groom’s arrival in the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

There are times when the sin of omission falls into the category of silence. Leviticus 5:1 says, “If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or heard about, he will be held responsible.  The "silence of the lambs" is also addressed in Ezekiel 3:18, which warns, “When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” We find it difficult to warn a Christian brother or sister of his or her sins because we know we are not without sin. In that case, we deserve to be reminded that what we are doing does not please God.

Turning a blind eye to evil or feigning ignorance will not fool God. Proverbs 24:11-12a says, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?” If you are now asking yourself who you know that is being led to death, I ask you, what about the unborn? Have you educated yourself about this issue? Have you done anything to stop this holocaust? Are you silent about the issue?

When we give the thirsty a drink, or clothe the poor, care for the sick, or visit those in prison, we do it as unto Jesus. Whatever we do to the least of these, we do unto Him (Matthew 25:35-40). Verses 41-46 indicate that those who do nothing are cursed and will have no place in heaven. “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” (James 15-16)  

It has been my observation that Christians who have religion but no relationship with Christ continually commit the sin of omission. Their lack of empathy, concern, love, and deeds indicate they are without remorse or repentance, and are not obedient to God’s Word. “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26)  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins” (James 4:17). This, then, becomes the sin of omission.

Philemon 1:6 says, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Becky Overturf Wall