*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*A CHILD OF GOD DOES NOT SIN.(9)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
James 4:17 *Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
When you know what is good but you do not do it, you are not a lover of God.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
James tells us that everyone has a knowledge of good and evil.
He tells us that people do evil not because they do not know it is not right they also do evil, not because they do not know what is good.
So he makes it clear enough that to him who knows or who is aware of doing good but does not do it, has sinned against God.
God confirms James' statement when He said in Gen 3:22 that *"....the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:..."*
Solomon says *"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.* Prov 20:11.
Given these clear abilities of knowledge of good and evil, one must choose righteousness so that one does not fall under the condemnation of Apostle James's writing.
James tells us that people are aware of their evil
James' word can be made clearer if we ask why anyone would choose not to do what is right.
A good answer is the attractiveness of sin. This is brought about by the pleasure that goes with it.
Heb 11:25 tells us that sin has pleasure. Paul wrote about Moses *"......choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."*
Gen 3:6 tells us that sinful nature is attractive. It says *".....the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired...."*
The choice we make between sin and righteousness followed by our actions always reveals the truth about what we love most.
People love pleasure or anything satisfying, even if it is for a short time.
At the time of enjoying sinful pleasure, people do not remember its fleeting nature.
Every child of Satan sees sin as an opportunity not to be missed, but every child of God sees sin as an opportunity to prove that the redemptive power of God to overcome sin is true.
While every child of Satan sees sin as a pleasure of a moment to be enjoyed without any caution, the child of God sees it as a pleasure not to be desired. He sees it as a transgression against God.
The problems with the child of Satan are :
He does not see that worldly pleasures are only temporary and do not bring lasting fulfillment.
They focus on the present. They do not see any consequences of sin in the long run.
They fail to know that the pleasure of sin flees as quickly as it comes.
They forget there is a bigger and more dangerous picture beyond what they have just enjoyed. The moment sin is committed in pleasure, their eyes are opened, Gen 3:7. The enjoyment is gone.
Pleasure of sin is short-lived. This is why it is referred to as *"....pleasures of sin for a season."*, Heb 11:25. The consequences are long, often lasting and unabated for a lifetime.
Prov 6: 32-33 says *But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.*
*A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.*
James 4:17, however, implies that when we know the right thing to do, we should do it. This is righteousness.
James admonishes the child of God that there are lovers of pleasure, and we must let them know that we are lovers of God and we will not sin because we know the right thing to do.
To the children of Satan, when you act against sin, when it presents itself as a pleasure, it is considered wrong by them, though it is the right thing for you to do.
The child of God faces this challenge, but he must stand on the truth of righteousness.
The child of God must choose righteousness rather than choose to indulge in the momentary pleasure of sin.
There are deliberate good doers, and there are willful and deliberate evil doers.
A child of God does righteousness because he knows it is good!
*Remorse corner.*
We were impacted with the knowledge of good and evil after the fall. You will not have any excuse before God why you chose sin.
*Call to Word action.*
You are expected to know the knowledge of right and wrong.
*The Christian clarion duty.*
By your righteous living, we know you are a child and lover of God rather than a lover of pleasure.
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to be a lover of God rather than a lover of pleasure, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
Comentários