When Is Doing Nothing A Sin? Your eternal destiny rests upon your knowing this.

When is doing nothing a sin? We pride ourselves in our efforts to respect the “Thou Shalt Not” commandments. I’m sure we could go down the list and check them all off as our accomplishments. But there are things we are commanded to do that does not get done. This is where we need to focus our attention.

Transgression Is Sin 1 John 3:4 Sin is lawlessness or transgression of law. The law is law: Whether we understand it. Whether we agree with it. Whether we know about it. Whether we violate it. Whether somebody else does it.

Transgression is Sin Most of us view the negative laws with more intensity than the positive laws. Negative laws are those that command us to not do something. In a way, these are easy commands to obey. However, there are some laws that are commanded of us concerning things we must do.. These are not so easy.

It is sin if: We have a Bible and we refuse to study it. 2 Timothy 2:15 : “(Study—KJV) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.” If we have not studied, we will not be prepared to handle what life throws at us.

It is sin if: We fail to share the gospel with those who need it. 2 Corinthians 4:3 “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing”. A veil is a covering, and we can cover up our knowledge of God’s gospel in many different ways.

It is sin if: We are exposed to error, and do not defend the truth. Titus 1:9 “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

It is sin if: We do not do good to others when the opportunity arises. Galatians 6:10 “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith”. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

It is a sin if: We are too ashamed to teach the gospel of Christ. Romans 1:16 Paul said “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Mark 8:38 “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

It is a sin if: We do not do the work of God. Luke 10:2 “And He was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’.” Satan has all the help he needs. There are only a few in God’s kingdom to do the work. And far fewer who actually do any work at all for the King.

It is a sin if: We do not show zeal We must abandon procrastination We must abandon apathy Many who show zeal do so out of ignorance and without knowledge of God’s righteousness. Romans 10:2 zeal not according to knowledge. We must be zealous for good works Titus 2:14

It is a sin if: We neglect our Christian duty. James 4:17 “Therefore to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” So, when is it a sin to do nothing? Always.

Conclusion We are all guilty. Many times, we are unaware that an opportunity has arisen. We are unaware that some may teach error, or they do not teach error in our presence. This is the very reason we must pray without ceasing, for we all recognize that there are many things we could have done, but chose not to do them. Let us begin to be more watchful, and show zeal in trying to do God’s works.