Thursday: Knowing and Doing What Is Good
Read James 4:15-17 in the context of the verses that come before it. What crucial point is he making here?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
James here is dealing with the attitude of self-dependence. In fact, he calls that attitude arrogance,
and the words spoken as boasting
; he says it is evil.
That’s how important the right attitude is for the Christian.
Read James 4:17. The Bible defines sin in two ways: (1) doing wrong; (2) not doing right. The first definition is given by John: sin is the transgression of the law
(1 John 3:4). Many modern versions render it sin is lawlessness,
but the Greek word anomia refers to specific violations of the law rather than to habitual lawless behavior (see its use in Rom. 4:7, Titus 2:14, Heb. 10:17). The second definition is given in James 4:17: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
We must therefore go beyond simply resisting temptation to do wrong. We are called to be children of light
(Eph. 5:8) and to
(Matt. 5:16, ESV, emphasis added).let [our] light shine before others, so that they may see [our] good works and give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven
Of course, one could get easily discouraged because, after all, who constantly does all the good they could possibly do every single day? But that’s not the issue. Even Jesus’ life was not a continual round of ceaseless activity. There were times when He withdrew to pray or simply to rest (Luke 5:16, Mark 6:31). Most important, He sought God’s will in everything He did (John 5:30). Jesus even compared doing God’s will to eating: My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work
(John 4:34, NKJV). Just as there are limits to how much we can eat at one sitting, so there are limits to how much we can do. That is why Jesus goes on to say that some sow while others reap but both rejoice together
(vss. 36-38). As we work for the Lord, we will be encouraged to do more and will pray for a greater willingness to be used in every possible way.
How does prayer help us die to self and thus maintain an attitude of surrender to the will of God? Whatever your plans are, how can you learn to surrender them to the Lord?
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Another way (and a bit milder way) to put James 4:17: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” is “he that knows better does better.”
Obligation increases with knowledge. Less is expected of the one in darkness (Acts 17:30). As believers study and gain more light they have a responsibility to walk in this light (Galatians 5:25). At the same time ignorance itself is not a virtue and if any deliberately dodges opportunities to know truth so as to avoid accountability the same is just as guilty as if he or she knew better (2 Timothy 2:15).
Those entrusted with the weight of the Three Angels’ Messages are held to a higher standard than those who are yet to receive same. The remnant people are called to walk worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Thanks, Hugh;
However, to me, a better way of putting the James 4:17 verse is, "He that knows to do better should do so because if he doesn't he is guilty of committing sin."
How important is prayer in order to die to self and keep an attitude of surrender to the will of God.
The way I see it, we cannot possibly die to self on our own. Paul calls this dying to self a "crucifixion" when he writes, "I am crucified with Christ." (Gal 2:20) It is quite clear that crucifixion is not a method of suicide. We cannot crucify ourselves. We can only choose to let God do it for us. Thus it is impossible to die to self or keep an attitude of surrender without a constant attitude of prayer. I believe that's why Paul writes to his converts that they are to "pray without ceasing." (1 Thess 5:17)
As we pray ceaselessly, we feel the need of a savior. By so doing it makes us want to commit every plan into God's hands. We then completely surrender our lives to God.
Often times I see that the knowledge and understanding of what prayer can do is there, but faith in it is not there. I can know that what a particular law passed may do for me, but does not mean I have faith that it will do what it's supposed to do. If we take but a simple moment to give God one very scary thing in our lives or something we are unsure of how to let go in prayer, that will be one step in building our faith.
Prayer and surrender will not always be easy because of our selfish and prideful nature, but it only takes one step. Once you get praying, it gets easier to fall in love with it. When you stop, just take that one step again and you will be back on track.