Sins Of Omission
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, as well as, the half tribe of Manasseh saw the land of Gilead, east of the Jordan river from the Promised land, and they knew it would be a perfect place for them to settle with their livestock. Therefore, they asked Moses for permission to have that land for their inheritance, instead of going into the Promised Land with the other tribes. This request upset Moses, because he realized they could discourage the other tribes like the 10 unfaithful spies had done 40 years before. Moses rebuked them sternly for not wanting to help their brothers fight the inhabitants of the land to drive them out, so they could obey the Lord's commands.
The leaders of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh told Moses that they would gladly support their brothers in battle. They would leave their families behind after building them shelters, and the fighting men would go until all of the enemies were defeated. Moses and the other leaders accepted their word, but they gave a strict warning. "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure, your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23) In effect, Moses warned them against committing a sin of omission.
A sin of omission is when we fail to do the right thing. Most sins are when we "commit" a sin. We do the wrong thing. However, it is equally as serious to "omit" doing a good thing. God punishes both types of sins. We can't get away from our punishment, either way. God will make sure we are aware of our failure to do His will. I am convinced that many believers are more guilty of sins of omission than sins of commission. We think it is not so bad to disobey God in the good things we should do, if we refrain from the bad things we are not supposed to do. This is a false way of understanding God. He looks at all sin as rebellion against Him, so He will not let us get away with any of them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 34-36.
The leaders of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh told Moses that they would gladly support their brothers in battle. They would leave their families behind after building them shelters, and the fighting men would go until all of the enemies were defeated. Moses and the other leaders accepted their word, but they gave a strict warning. "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure, your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23) In effect, Moses warned them against committing a sin of omission.
A sin of omission is when we fail to do the right thing. Most sins are when we "commit" a sin. We do the wrong thing. However, it is equally as serious to "omit" doing a good thing. God punishes both types of sins. We can't get away from our punishment, either way. God will make sure we are aware of our failure to do His will. I am convinced that many believers are more guilty of sins of omission than sins of commission. We think it is not so bad to disobey God in the good things we should do, if we refrain from the bad things we are not supposed to do. This is a false way of understanding God. He looks at all sin as rebellion against Him, so He will not let us get away with any of them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 34-36.