The "Good" Sin

 “Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

As Christ-following believers, we should strive daily to refrain from doing what God’s Word refers to as evil, ungodly—sin—missing the mark. A misconception might be: I haven’t done anything wrong, so I’m okay. But doing good is an intentional action.

The “therefore” in the last verse of chapter four refers to what James wrote about lust, envy, jealousy, pride, friendship with the world, criticizing and judging fellow believers, and dependence on and self-confidence about our plans. The “good” we know to do is not to do such things. It also means if God impressed us to do or say something (His ways are always good and right) and we don’t follow through with it (the “good sin”)—we know we should do that “good” something and don’t do it; we missed our calling’s mark of perfection. We sinned.

What are we to do? James said, “Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.. . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (v. 7, 10). God is with you, wants the best for you, longs to help you, and is only a prayer away. With much to do in the name of the Lord before His return, or God calls us home, will He find you and me faithful?