Sins of Omission

Thursday's full reading: James 4:1-17

"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17)

This happens to be one of the first verses I ever memorized on my own. Although I had grown up attending church and had memorized many passages for various activities and programs, James 4:17 was one of the first verses I remember being self-motivated to memorize. (Well, God-motivated to memorize!)

I was just reading along and SMACK it was like the words literally jumped off the page and slapped me in the mouth. I instantly began to feel so undone, unworthy, and utterly sinful. I began to feel the weight of sin that I had built up through my apathetic attitude toward the things of God and the spiritual and physical needs of others.

Today, as an act of worship, turn from any known sin in your life, whether it be a sin of commission or a sin of omission as James 4:17 so clearly defines. As you repent and turn back to God in those areas, praise him for his faithfulness to forgive us and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness. Ask the Lord for the wisdom and strength to fully obey his will, no matter the cost.