Sin is failing to fulfill the Great Commission

In 1 John 3 the bible says, “Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is the breaking of law. You know that He was revealed so that He might take away sins, and there is no sin in Him. Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.”

In today’s post-modern society, it is politically incorrect in many churches to talk about sin. Sin represents the antithesis of truth. If you are not living in truth, you are living apart from truth. To live apart from truth, is to sin. Since many believe truth is relative, then they believe there is no sin.

But the Bible is very clear that there is not only sin in the world, but that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

As we search the scriptures we can come to understand sin from a biblical perspective; God’s perspective. Most people can name what some may think of as big sins. These would be lying, stealing, murdering, raping, and adultery. These are sins of commission. Acts committed in direct opposition to God’s word.

However there are also sins that are not based upon us doing the wrong things, but based upon the fact we did not do the right thing. These are sins of omission. For instance, if we fail to worship God, that is a sin of omission. Likewise, failing to learn and read scripture or failing to care for orphans and widows in distress are sins of omission. God’s word provides a command that we are to obey, and when given the opportunity, we fail to act. This is sin.

Now if sin is not only doing the things God has prescribed that we must not do, but also failing to do those things we are commanded to do, then we need to look at some of the failings of the churches in America in a new light.

In Mathew 28 Jesus gives us what we now refer to as the Great Commission. He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

These words of Christ are not a suggestion. Just as He is instructing us to teach others to obey everything He has commanded us, we must do the same…obey all that He has commanded.

Regardless of the reason, when we do not carry out the Great Commission we are sinning. It is a sin of omission; failing to share the gospel.

Have you ever considered this as a sin? Just as failing to care for orphans and widows in distress is a sin, failing to share the gospel with others is a sin.

Well, sin is not something we enjoy talking about, but it is the reason Christ had to die.

Perhaps you have now realized the seriousness of your failure to obey the Great Commission. If so, God desires that you repent and begin living in obedience to Him. Just decide to obey Christ and be a Great Commission Christian!

A Few Words to Honor our WWII Veterans

I was blessed to attend the funeral of a great man earlier this year. He never served as the CEO of a major corporation, nor did he lead a life of notoriety in the eyes of an adoring public. He did not serve in the halls of government or join the ranks in a prestigious profession. What he was and did is perhaps more important—he was a WWII Army veteran, winner of two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

He led a quiet life in this lovely Southern town. He was born 91 years ago in some far away time that eludes accurate depiction for us in this early 21st century. A skilled person he was, always working with his hands to create wonderful treasures from wood. His home shone brightly in the old neighborhood next to the hospital—the shrubs trimmed, the trees with their inviting shade, a flower here or there in season.

He and his wife enjoyed 67 years of togetherness through the best years of their lives. She gave him a small Bible when he left to serve the U.S. in the European arena of the war. He still used the same Bible today (how did he read that small print?) In the Bible, he carried two poems. One poem was about a soldier, it may have been called “The Soldier.” The other simply called “Comfort.”

His son and daughter shared touching words during the funeral. The words comforted all of us. They carried us into a timeless place that reminded us about the important things in life. I would have rather heard these words than any of the eloquence that accompanies the funerals of well-known people. They honored a man that represents a generation of Americans with an innate knowledge of the good life.

His work after the war centered on the hardware business until his retirement in 1980. He enjoyed fishing, particularly trout fishing in the small streams of the mountains. The church he served already misses his faithfulness, a man that served as deacon and treasurer through some of the church’s best years.

He was never loud. He was steady. He exuded dependability. He held traits that even great leaders aspire for. This common man was really uncommon. His generation will be missed for their contributions to this nation as citizens, as warriors, as protectors of the greatness we seem to see slipping at times today.

At the funeral I looked up to see a row of men just like him serving as honorary pallbearers. All in their early 90s, they came to honor their fallen friend while wondering perhaps when their time would come. They still smile and share kind words with everyone. Their veneer is tough, their words few, and their presence makes you think about angels.

Let’s remember this victorious generation with honor. America needs more people like these. We need a revival in our spirits to help us understand what is truly important. These soldiers remind us of this need.

After the funeral I thought about these words from Scripture, words that I have underlined and that all of us could use in these days of uncertainty. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12