A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, December 7
- ontrakk
- Dec 7, 2021
- 1 min read
James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
This one small sentence has convicted me over and over in my lifetime. Not by reading it, but by the Holy Spirit whispering it in my heart. Many, many times I have considered walking away, or have actually walked away, only to turn around and do the right thing for someone. It usually involves me stepping out of my comfort zone, which is why it happens this way. This isn’t because I am mean and nasty at heart- it is about my own insecurities. But God makes me brave. He has helped me to be “bold and stout-hearted” when I need to be.
Lord God, I am thankful. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted. Amen
Becky, transforming
(do not miss the tiny creature in the center of the woodpile!)
James 4 :17
God wants us to make plans about our lives, career, education, marriage, children, finances etc. there is nothing wrong with these plans but do we always ask is this what God wants us to do, We were created with free will - the choice to make decisions. We were created in his image, because God desires us to live in peace with Him and others, it is our own choice or our own bad decision that cause so much pain and grief. One thought is why God allows bad things to happen is that people have the freedom to live and act according to their own decisions. I have to remember God is In charge.…
James 4: 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James is reminding us that failure to do what is right is sin. The more we know about God’s laws the more accountable we become. Living a Christian life as best we can is very important, not doing so is sin. If we are to please God I need to grow in grace and always do what is right to be in fellowship with God.
Dearest Lord, give me the grace to always do what is right. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they should do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
This is a tough command to follow. I could probably think of good that I should do every day but to do it would strap me financially, I would be out of energy, and I wouldn’t have time for anything else. I hope there is room in here to make reasonable judgements about what good to do. I will do the good that I am able to do and hope that is enough. I pray that I will be forgiven for the good deeds that I ignore.
James 4:17 Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. This passage speaks loud and clear to me today. There is someone I have been avoiding because I know I can be of little help to change their situation. I also know that they may not want my visit and turn me away. Neither of these things are good reasons to keep avoiding the situation. I am sure this passage is here today to remind me of my sin and change my mind. I know God does not ask me to do what I cannot do. Today I must not sin. Prayer gracious God thank you for this reminder. Amen
James 4:17
James does not waste words and one does not have to struggle with understanding his meaning. We cannot unlearn what we have learned to be the good and right way to live. To willfully ignore it is sin. Even before we are taught the simplest lessons, through the prevenient grace of the Holy Spirit, most of us are endowed with an innate sense of right and wrong. If we have this and ignore it, that too is sin. it Is willful disobedience that separates us from God and only repentant confession can restore that relationship. The good news is that God has promised that repentant confession shall always restore the relationship.
Prayer - Forgiving God, I sometimes do…