Scripture

“Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.” James 4:17

Reflections

There are two kinds of sins, sins of commission and sins of omission.

Sins of commission are things we do that we are not supposed to do.  They are overt acts.  For example, we learn from the Ten Commandments that we are not to murder, commit adultery or steal.

Sins of omission are things we do not do that we are supposed to do.  For example, we read in 1 Jn. 3:17-18, “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?  Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”  It is rather easy to commit a sin of omission without others noticing.  But God notices.  As we read in Heb. 4:13, “Before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.”  When we fail to do the right thing, we sin.

Whether it is a sin of commission or omission, we still sin.  Doing good is more than a matter of our own will.  It requires more than saying, “I’m always going to do the right thing.”  We are too weak.  We inevitably fail.  To do good as we ought, we need the grace of God.  Thus, we turn to God and invite him to be at work within us.  He gives his Spirit to those who ask.  He favors us and showers us with his forgiveness.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for forgiving me the things that I have done and the things that I have left undone.  I turn to you and invite your Spirit to be at work through me this day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: James 4:11-17