To Him It Is Sin!

Jas 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good

and does not do it, to him it is sin.

What sin does! Isa 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it

cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your

iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have

hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

How many of us here want to be separated from God? Not me!▪I would imagine that you, like me want

to be close to God, so we need to understand what sin is and how to overcome sin!

▪When we are living in sin, we hide from the light!▸Joh 3:19 “And this is the condemnation,

that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

What sin is?▪“Whatsoever is not of faith” (Rom.

14:23)▪“Knowing to do good, and not doing

it” (Js. 4:17)▪“All unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 5:17)▪“...the transgression of the law (1 Jn.

3:4)▪Tonight we will be focusing in on the

2nd of these four! (Js. 4:17) “knowing to do good and not doing it!”

I. Two Types of Sin!All sin falls into 1 of 2 categories!

▪Sin of commission = going against what God has forbidden “Thou Shall Not!”

▪Sin of omission = not doing something that God has commanded “Thou Shall!”

▪In the Law of Moses there are 613 commands!▸248 Positive “Thou Shall”▸365 Negative “Thou Shall Not”

The Ten Commandments!(Ex. 20:3-17)

▪Only 2 out of 10 are something the children of Israel “were to do!”▸Remember the Sabbath▸Honor father and mother▪8 things they “were not to do!”▸No other gods, no idols, not take the Lord’s

name in vain, not murder, not commit adultery, not steal, not bear false witness and not covet!

▪Failing to keep “any” would result in sin!

Js. 4:17 “Sin of Omission!”▪This is the one that fails to live what God

commands of him, he omits doing what is right!

▪The rich young ruler! (Mk. 10:17-22)▸Out of the 6 of the 10 Commandments that

deal with our relationship to our fellow man, Jesus states 5 of them only leaving one off!▸The one that Jesus leaves off is the one,

this young man had “omitted!”▸He had committed sin, by omitting the

release of “covetousness!” “Shall not covet!”

II. Two Types of Sinner!▪First, one that sins because of ignorance

(lack of knowledge) i.e. (Act 17:22-31; Rom. 10:1-3)▸People often do better, when they know

better!▪Second, one that sins willingly/willfully!▸Even after hearing the Word, will not heed

what is heard! (Js. 1:22-25)▸Knowing right & doing right aren’t the

same!–Wise & foolish builders! (Mt. 7:24-27)

Js. 4:17 “Willful Sinner!”▪This is the one that knows what

he/she ought to do, but refuses to do it!▸Jas 4:16 But now you boast in your

arrogance. All such boasting is evil.▸Not “ignorance” but rather “arrogance!”▪Arrogance = ἀλαζονεία = vainglory,

boastful, self-confidence, willful pride!▪Far too many today believe they are

“too smart for God” or that “they know better than God!”

III. Two Types of Service!Moving from “what” to “why!”

▪“Why” are we here today? Is it because we feel that we have to be? Or is it because more than anything we desire/want to be?

▪What James is getting at is that we don't only need to keep God in our plans, but that we need to be planning for God!▸Do we look for opportunities to do good?▸Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity,

let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The God 1st Mind-set!Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things

shall be added to you.”▪Who is on the throne of our hearts

tonight?▪Everything that we do in life should start

with God! God in our hearts and on our minds!

▪This chapter begins by warning us about “worldliness” and end by telling us what happens when we have too much of the world in us!

Conclusion:

▪How is our service to God been? Are we giving Him what is right, or what is left?

▪May each of us come to properly understand the “sin of omission!”▸Failing to have God on the throne of our

hearts!▪Have you come to Jesus to be forgiven

of sin and set free? If so, have you become guilty again by the sin of omission?