English Article: The Sin of Omission| Leny Shibu, Ireland to

Christianity is increasingly becoming stagnant. Faith is limited to miracles, new openings, removing obstacles and deliverance. Even after repeatedly alarming about the above status, believers have become motionless. James 4:17 says, So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. We know!!! what is right, but we continue to do ‘the wrong’. Holiness is disregarded. God is being ‘belittled’. Faith is null. Word of God is limited to Sundays. Family prayer is just an ordinance. Bible is treated as a textbook. Believers walk more like a programmed human, no life of Christ in them.

What this could be? What is the reason for stagnancy? Though we know what is right, why have we become unable to do it? Could we even resolve it? Are we obeying the soul or the spirit? We say, we have come out of darkness, but we don’t see the light in believers. Have we become sensitive to sin? Conviction of sin is long gone rather we have sorted with mere confession. It’s mind blogging to see believers became sensitive to sin instead of being resistant.

There is a greater sin reigning among us, “Sin of Omission”. We know, we need to read Bible everyday, we don’t do it. We know, we need to pray personally, still we don’t do it. We know, we need to live Holy life, we don’t even try to attempt it. God’s word is plain and direct. Be holy, for I am Holy. God works, not according to our terms but according to His terms. It’s very clear, “Be Holy”!

The twist is that, believers are captive to sin without self-realization. Sin by nature is highly flammable than sin by behavior. Believers often give importance to sin by behavior, which we tackle with mere confession before Lord’s supper. That isn’t enough!

Truth is we accepted Christ as our Savior, but use Him as our gate keeper. Believers see Him as, Savior from trials, temptations, sufferings, diseases etc. That ain’t what Jesus does. Christ is our Redeemer as well. We are carriers of sin that we don’t realize, the innermost sins like envy, jealousy, slander, covetousness, anger, gossip, hatred, strife, idolatry etc. The redeemer, redeems us from deadliest sins through Holy Spirit. That’s where spiritual circumcision of heart matters.

We did say that, from now onwards I have decided to follow God’s commandments right before and after baptism but sadly, we have settled down ourselves with one sacrament which is Lord’s supper. Believer has to set his/ her life as per Sermon on the mount teachings, although we have given away those teachings by stating ‘it is practically impossible to live in that way’. Yet, God brought it down to two commandments, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. Even those two commandments we have rejected and it’s being portrayed through our nature. If truly we love our God, we will make every effort to get away from sin. If we truly love our neighbor, we won’t slander or gossip.

Among believers love is vanishing, hatred has increased, gossip is the new norm, we envy others blessings and politics is not only in the world but also in the church. This is mark of self love, old nature, no character transformation, leavened bread, end times.

What are we waiting for? To hear the trumpet call? Church is filled with foolish virgins and boast, we are the only wise virgins!! Deception is everywhere. Mind what you speak! Mind what your hear! Sin is not being taken seriously.

The first and foremost work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of our sin (John 16:8). Do I know how sinful I am? I do speaking tongues, does it make me realize the depth of sin? Does Holy Spirit tell me, what I must omit and what I must commit? If such things aren’t happening within me then I am listening to my soul, not to the spirit. Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, we confess and He circumcise the very nature of that particular sin. Eventually, we become partakers of His divine nature. 2 Peter 1:8 says, For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ignoring what soul says and holding on to what spirit says is essential for spiritual maturity. How to discern what spirit says? Consistently reading word of God and personal prayer could only help a believer to discern the thoughts and intentions of soul and spirit.

Let us commit ourselves to prioritize the given time to get rid of sin that reigns our heart. Rejecting His word is similar to rejecting His life in and through us.

Leny Shibu, Ireland

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