“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” asked the rich young ruler. Matthew 19:16 Is that our perception of salvation? “If I do A, then I expect B.” Here the rich young ruler is asking Jesus, what good deed can I check off my list and say that I have done it to gain eternity?

“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17 “Which?” Matthew 19:18

Salvation Checklist Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 19:18-19 Jesus provides a list of the commandments to the rich young ruler. I can almost see him taking out his notepad with his Salvation Checklist. I’ve done this one. This one. This one. All these things have I kept from my youth up: What lack I yet? Can you imagine the pride he must have felt? Can you visualize how his head was high in the sky?

Common Struggles of Christians Sin of Omission The young man was a good man, but his heart wasn’t where it needed to be. He asked what good thing should I do??? He got his answer, but was unwilling to do the good that was suggested. Jesus told him in verse 21: If you want to be perfect, go sell all that you have, give it to the poor, and come follow me. This young man had an opportunity to do good; however, he went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions. In this life, I feel many of us are like the rich young ruler-Our struggle isn’t the sins we commit but the good we omit.

2 Types of Sin Commission & Omission

What is sin? 1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Sins of Commission lying, getting drunk, disrespecting your parents, gossiping, stealing, having sex before marriage, cheating on spouse, being morally bad, doing shameful things, being jealous, angry & selfish, filled with envy, having wild parties, causing people to argue & divide When we open Bible and look at the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, we know that those that do those things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. And Paul tells the Colossian brethren in Col. 3:25:

What is sin? James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Sins of Omission not reaching out to those in need, having the ability to help and not doing it, not obeying your parents, not speaking up when you should, spreading & sharing the Gospel, studying, visiting the sick, showing love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, being meek, having self-control, restoring those who are overtaken in faults

Galatians 5:24-25 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. And Paul tells the Galatian brethren in Galatians 5:22-23 about the fruits of the Spirit. He tells in verse 24 & 25.

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We don’t need to omit the fruits of the Spirit in our life.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. We don’t need to grow weary doing good either.

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. We don’t need to grow weary doing good either.

John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. Sins of omission are covered under Jesus’ admonition, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” ( Jn. 14:15 ).   To “keep” the Lord’s commandments is to obey His commandments.   To not obey is to be disobedient to His commandments.   Some people feel that they’re basically righteous simply because they abstain from overtly unrighteous acts such as murder, theft, lying and using vulgar language.   But righteousness is equally demonstrated through active obedience to commandments that demand action.

Opportunity + Ability= Responsibility The Priest & Levite Who is my Neighbor? Luke 10:25-37 Opportunity + Ability= Responsibility

Which is worse? Sins of Commission Sins of Omission Which is worse? The men who robbed the man or the priest and Levite who passed by? Which is worse, sins of commission or sins of omission?    Both types of sins represent disobedience.  Sins of Commission are acts of outright disobedience to clear and direct commands to abstain from this or that.  Sins of omission demonstrate disobedience to a clear instruction to do something. While different types of sin, they’re both sinful.   And, “the wages of sin is death!” (Rom. 6:23).  

Opportunity + Ability= Responsibility Those on the Left Hand When saw we thee…..? Matthew 25:31-46 Opportunity + Ability= Responsibility Jesus—here in Matthew 25—is describing what it will be like when he returns. He will be like a shepherd that separates his sheep from the goats. He commend his sheep for the good they had done. Beginning in Matthew 25:41, he begins talking to those on the left—the goats--41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Sin of Omission Let us seize every opportunity we have to do good unto all men and especially our brothers & sisters in Christ. May we not be like the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 who neglected the weightier matters of the law: Justice, Mercy and Faith. Let us not omit righteous judgment, compassion and kindness, forgiveness and tenderness toward those who are guilty, nor should we omit our confidence in God. Let us not omit our love for Christ by keeping his commandments, but let us love Him with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind.

Are you ready to meet the Lord. Don’t leave Him out of your life Are you ready to meet the Lord? Don’t leave Him out of your life! He gave His life so we could have life! The most basic sin of omission is the failure to repent of one’s sins, openly confess faith in Christ and surrender to Him in baptism for the remission of one’s sins ( Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38 ). If you aren’t a Christian, obey his commandment and follow after Him. As we struggle through this life trying our best not to commit sin or omit good opportunities, let us remember 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”