Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

day 177: To Do What You Ought

James 4:17
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

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I love the book of James.  That man.. he doesm't mince words.  He's straight and to the point and if you don't like it, then that's YOUR fault because he's gonna tell you how it is....

Sometimes we need that.

I prayed for today's 365 and came across this. I have to laugh sometimes and the verses God puts in my path.... and always ones much needed.

We all know that sin is sin.  We all know that's not the best idea to go out murdering someone or stealing something... but what about the other side of the coin?  The 'what about when you don't do what you know you should do' sin?

This isn't talking about things like eating certain meat or anything like that.  It's more along the lines of having the feeling that you should give something to someone, and then not doing it (ie feeling deep in your heart that you should buy the person's meal behind you in line at the drive-thru, but you don't.)

Or even if you know deep down what God wants you to do with your life... but you don't do it.  Did you know that was a sin?  I haven't ever really thought about it much before... I'm a 'good' person, ya know.  But when you think about things in that light, we sin more daily than we realize.  That's why we need to ask God to forgive us continually, even when we don't think we have sinned because, most likely, we have and not realized it.

It is SO much easier to just bury our head and not look around at what God is calling us to do.  But, according to James, that is as big of a sin as any.... and that's a pretty big deal.

What is God calling you to do?  What things have you known you should do, but didn't?

Our 13th song leading up to Christmas is "Mary Did you Know?" by Kutless.  It doesn't really go with the verse, but I really like it.  Mary didn't know what all life had in store for her baby, but she willingly did what she knew was right.  She could have easily chosen not to... she could have sinned by looking the other way and saying, "Nope, not me. I didn't see that angel.  Must have been someone else."  but she did what God called her to do... what she knew she ought.

God Bless You.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Kelly - I also love James and for the same reason you do, he is straight to the point and direct. Says it like it is. Great post.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  2. That is a really powerful verse, Kelly. We focus on the sins of commission - doing things that are wrong, but we often forget about the sins of omission - not doing what we know is right. Great encouragement today and beautiful song!

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