Doing Right

James 4: 17

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. 

Who doesn't love a good gossip, a juicy tidbit that you can share? Well, for sure God! In 4:11 James exhorts us to stop judging one another. Don't speak evil about each other, he says. Can't get much plainer than that! He explains that there is only one lawgiver and judge, and it is certainly not us! It is God Himself. How puffed up are we when we judge each other thinking that we are so much better than someone else! How puffed up are we to allow our preferences to judge others!

Not only that but we think we can control our lives, make our own plans, and figure out what is best for us. But that is pride too! So much pride! James reminds us that we are but a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead of saying I will do this or that, we should say, if the Lord wills, I will do this or that. Ultimately, He decides all, even the outcome of an ordinary day. So why don't we seek Him first thing and throughout the day. Think how much easier it would be on each of us. How much less frustration and even heartache there would be. 

So James ends this chapter with, So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. If we know what is right, then we just need to do it. No room for wiggling! Maybe that's the problem. We always think there is room for wiggling. We think we can keep a little bit of ourselves and still be right with God, but not so. It is sin!!! Stop kidding myself!! Live for God unreservedly. Quit sinning!

Father,

I confess hanging on to myself, to my plans, and to my flesh. Forgive. Help me to look with love on others and to think of ways to build them up not tear them down.

In Jesus name,

Amen