If Anyone, Then, Knows The Good They Ought To Do & Don't Do It, It Is Sin For Them
Do That What You Ought
JAMES 4:17
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
”James 4:16-17 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.4.17.NKJ
This verse defines sin not only as doing something wrong (commission), but also as failing to do something right (omission). If you possess the knowledge, means, or opportunity to do good and choose not to, it holds the same moral weight as breaking a command.
Throughout his letter, James emphasises that true, living faith cannot be separated from action (see James 2:14–17). Simply agreeing with God's standards or knowing what is moral is not enough; obedience requires us to follow through.
Just before this verse, James addresses merchants and individuals who make confident, independent plans for their businesses and lives (“Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city)” without acknowledging God's sovereignty or will ("If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this," v. 15).
It is always good to run our plans through God and ask for direction and for His will to be done so that we don’t take a wrong direction or make a wrong decision.
James exposes their prideful boasting (v. 16). Once they are taught that every plan rests in God's hands, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Knowing the humble, dependent attitude they ought to have and refusing to adopt it makes their inaction a sin as is procrastination.
“Doing good" can be attendance or giving time or money to your church, an orphanage, or charitable organisations, or the homeless, or the needy, and often applies directly to immediate, real-life needs in one's sphere of influence, helping a neighbour, showing kindness, or correcting an injustice when prompted, rather than waiting for massive, abstract opportunities.
Greater understanding brings greater responsibility. When God convicts a person or makes a moral duty clear through His Word or prompting, ignoring that nudge or delaying obedience is treated as a spiritual failure.
Do not put off until tomorrow that what you can do today.
All glory be to God forever and ever! Amen.
Please share with our brothers and sisters all around the world.
