James 4:17 - Sin Simplified
There are a lot of different ways to define sin, various ways to describe its causes and effects, and explanations on how to avoid it.
Some things are absolute, starting with the first commandment. My paraphrase is: "It's a sin to worship anyone other than God Himself." (Exodus 20:3). Then there are other passages on "matters of faith and conscience" (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8 & 10). These verses explain how something can be perfectly fine for one person, but not for someone else.
At the same time, James has a way of putting things very plainly so you can't avoid the meaning:
"To one who knows the right {good} thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17, New American Standard Bible)
Granted, sometimes we wrestle with whether something is morally right or not. But there are things that we know unquestionably would be the right thing, the good thing to do. Not to do the right thing is wrong. It's sin.
Father, you know how easy it is for me to weasel out of doing the right thing. Putting it off for a more convenient time. Discovering a larger priority to eclipse what should be done, regardless. Trying to pawn the responsibility off to someone else. Forgive my disobedience or my delayed obedience. I need your determination and strength to do the right thing, right now. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Some things are absolute, starting with the first commandment. My paraphrase is: "It's a sin to worship anyone other than God Himself." (Exodus 20:3). Then there are other passages on "matters of faith and conscience" (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8 & 10). These verses explain how something can be perfectly fine for one person, but not for someone else.
At the same time, James has a way of putting things very plainly so you can't avoid the meaning:
"To one who knows the right {good} thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17, New American Standard Bible)
Granted, sometimes we wrestle with whether something is morally right or not. But there are things that we know unquestionably would be the right thing, the good thing to do. Not to do the right thing is wrong. It's sin.
Father, you know how easy it is for me to weasel out of doing the right thing. Putting it off for a more convenient time. Discovering a larger priority to eclipse what should be done, regardless. Trying to pawn the responsibility off to someone else. Forgive my disobedience or my delayed obedience. I need your determination and strength to do the right thing, right now. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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