James wrote to Christians this following warning: “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4.17).

When children know they are in trouble, they think they did something wrong, otherwise why the problem? They may ask, “What did I do wrong?” But the answer often surprises them when they hear, “You failed to do what you should have done.”  In religious parlance this is called a “sin of omission.” (Remember, a “sin of commission” is when you do something that you are not supposed to do.)

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, what did the priest and Levite do that was wrong? Did they harm the poor, beaten man? Did they rob him? What did the five foolish virgins do that was so wrong? The one talent man didn’t seem to do anything horribly wrong. What about the nine lepers who were healed? What did these individuals do that was so wrong? In the judgment scene, Jesus condemned some, not for something they did, but for something they did not do. (See Luke 10.25-37; 17.17; Matt. 25.1-46)

So what was the problem in all these biblical examples? These failed to do what was right. The priest and Levite failed to assist the beaten man. The five foolish virgins failed to obtain oil for their lamps. The nine lepers, unlike the Samaritan, failed to go back and give thanks to Jesus for their healing. Omission is a serious infraction!

What about those lost souls in the judgment scene? Jesus said,  “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me’”  (Matt.25.42-45).

We must not seek comfort in just the things we don’t do, but also in the things we do. The Lord will not overlook sins of omission. [-Adapted, Rob Redden; BTW]