No Excuses in Relationship with Self

There are two categories of sin; sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are those wrongs that we willfully do and actions that are in direct rebellion to God’s commands.

A sin of omission is a sin that is the result of not doing something God’s Word teaches that we should do. It is generally used in contrast with the corresponding phrase “the sin of commission,” or sins that a person actively commits.

Paul juxtaposes the two concepts in Romans 7:14-20. He decries his tendency toward both types of sin. He does what he doesn’t want to do and knows is wrong—the sin of commission—and he doesn’t do what he knows he should do and really wants to do—the sin of omission. Here is a picture of the new nature in conflict with the flesh in which it dwells.

We spend most of our energies trying to stop doing wrong, but very little planning to do what is commanded of us. Too many times we preach the religion of “No”.

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:17) What has God told you to do that you are not doing? Think about where you have failed to live out His purpose for your life?

 

No Excuses Challenge

Identify one area in which you need to be obedient to God and do what He has commanded. Make a commitment to do it during the next week.

“Success is a tale of obstacles overcome,
and for every obstacle overcome, an excuse not used.”
Robert Brault