The Great Omission

The title does not have a typo. The word I'm bringing to the surface is "omission." As Christ followers we are instructed to do the "Great Commission" as listed in Matthew 28. But I want to talk about the sin of omission spoken of in James 4. James 4:17 (TPT) So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin. I've been around people who were just so proud of themselves for not breaking the 10 commandments yet they were doing nothing with their lives, literally. They would just sit at home, avoiding any type of sin and boast about their goodness. Let's look at a story in the scriptures about a rich man and a poor man. Luke 16:19-23 (ESV) “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side." The poor man lived a painful life on earth, just outside of a rich man's home. The rich man had the opportunity and ability to help the beggar every day but chose to ignore the man lying outside, covered in boils and hungry. The poor man died and found comfort in paradise while the rich man suffered in Hades. You can finish the rest of the story on your own. Is this sobering to anyone else? My question for you today is, who is at your gate? Who has God placed in your path with a need that you could easily fulfill and share Christ with? It could be a neighbor in need or it could be a village across the world that God is nudging you to help. Whomever it is, I urge you to obey the Lord. In America, there are few people that can do NOTHING to help someone. I've noticed that many time the sinners are quick to give to someone with a need while the Christians only offer prayer (if they even follow through with it). I'm not saying give to all who come begging your way for a hand out and definitely do not become someone's escape from responsibilities, but listen to the Lord. God will give us opportunities to give others hand up, to teach them about Jesus and to help them in practical skills. We must make disciples, teaching them the Lord's ways (which is to do good and help people) and encourage them in their faith. When is the last time anyone reminded you that God has a wonderful plan for your life? That He loves you and sent Jesus to die for you because of His great desire to have a relationship with you for all of eternity? It's simple - tell your waitress, tell the banker, tell the barista, and tell the homeless man. Spend time with people, build relationships and make disciples. It's definitely what Jesus would do! Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people. - Martin Luther King Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail"