Sermon par le Ps Philip Tse

What are we doing with time? (Part 2)

FINDING TIME TO AVOID THE SIN OF OMISSION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

Lectures : 2 Samuel 11:1-17, 26-27; Matthieu 5:13-16

QUICK LOOK AT TIME – 5 January 2020:

  1. What are we doing with time? A Christian, who regards time as a treasure given by God, will not waste time in useless things, but will use time to learn and become wiser in his being and doing. Psalm 90:12 (NLT) “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” 
  2. The Christian also knows that he will be accountable to God on the use of his time. 2 Corinthians 5:10 « For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. »
  3. The Christian organises himself to find a time of rest in order to seek the presence of God, such as Quiet Time, Fast and Pray on 1st January, etc. In God’s presence, the Christian is refreshed and allows God to be in control.
  4. Most people are busy with responsibilities in the family and at work. But Jesus Christ reminded us to store treasures in heaven which have eternal value (Matthew 6:19-21).
  5. How do we store treasures in heaven? Answer: when we use our time for good works which God has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10).
  6. How can we be sure that we are doing good works which God has prepared for us? The answer is: the good works will always bring us closer to God, to pray, to be hungry for the Word of God, to love your neighbours, and helping in church leadership. On the other hand, if we see ourselves driving away from the presence of God, difficult to pray, not hungry with the Word of God, not interested to love your neighbours, and not interested to help in church leadership, we should question our good works.
  7. What can happen if I am very busy with life pressures and I don’t have time to do good works? We commit the sin of omission. James 4:17, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
  8. The sin of commission is the willful act of doing what is wrong before God, such as lying or stealing. The sin of omission is not doing what is right before God, such as refusing to share Christ with others, neglecting to care for those in need, and avoiding prayer.

SIN OF OMISSION (Reference: Joel Ryan)

1. Omission is Willful Disobedience

A parent tells his child that he is not allowed to play video games until his homework is done. But the child disobeys his parent by playing his video games without completing his homework. This is a sin of commission as he did something he was not supposed to do. On the other hand, if a parent tells her child to clean her room and she does not do it, this is also an act of disobedience, but not because of something she has done. It has more to do with what she has NOT done. This is a sin of omission.

The devil will always tempt us to do evil (sin of commission). He can also tempt us to not do good (sin of omission) for many reasons. Sins of commission and omission are both acts of disobedience before God. Christians who don’t resist the devil and organize their time to do good works commit the sin of omission.

Ephesians 2:10 « For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. »

2. Omission Affects Our Calling & The Love of God in Us

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus said that Christians are the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket… Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven”. We are called to shine before people by doing good works so that non-believers can come to God. How can we shine before people to bring them to Jesus Christ if we keep omitting to do good works?

1 John 3:17-18 also reminds us that, “whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him (omission), how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Sin of omission = Love of God (Agape love) does not abide in that person = Selfish Christian

Do good works = Love of God (Agape love) abides in that person = Kind Christian

Why do we commit sins of omission? It can be motivated by being busy (no time), disobedience, fear, pride, complacency, or procrastination. Shall we allow these things to overcome the love of God in us, which is given by the Holy Spirit?

3. Omission can Lead to Sins of Commission

In the Old Testament, there was a time when King David remained in Jerusalem while his generals went off to war. This was a clear neglect of David’s kingly duties. By not being with his men in a time of crisis, David was not where he was supposed to be. He was guilty of a sin of omission. Because of this, he exposed himself to temptation, which came in the form of lust. His lust for a married woman (Bathsheba) eventually led to adultery and later murder, multiple sins of commission (2 Samuel 11).

When Christians don’t stand for what is right nor do what is asked of them, their omission weakens their foundation as a solid Christian. It opens the door for further temptation to enter their life, and could eventually lead to sins of commission (like King David).

Jesus told His listeners, “why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,” and not do what I say?… The one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of the house was great” (Luke 6:46, 48).

4. Omission Can Bring Denial from Jesus Christ

Christians are given a mandate to speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15), acknowledge God (Hebrews 12:28-29), and proclaim their faith (1 Peter 3:15-16). Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel, “but whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before my Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

5. Omission Leads to Missed Blessings

John 9:31 “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him”. Many Christians hear the Word of God but sin by omitting to do good works. God does not hear the prayers of the sinners. But God hears and responds to the prayers of those persons who do His will.

James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does”. Hearers only are deceiving themselves. Blessings are denied to them. We need to be hearers and doers of good works.

Galatians 6:7-9 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”. Christians cannot live only on blessings received by grace or mercy. They are called to sow good so that they can reap good in due season.

CONCLUSION

Many Christians are conscious of the sins of commission but do not realize the dangers of the sins of omission. Those who hear and do will truly live the life God has called them to be. God will use and equip those willing to make time to do good works.

In the context of the church focus “PLUS” for Year 2020, let us organize our time and ask our Father God to help us in avoiding the sin of omission in our lives. Let us be hearers and doers of good works. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.