CBC Worship Ministries: Devotional Blog

"Did you take out the garbage?"
"No, I forgot."
"Did you call in the prescription?"
"Ah. . . what prescription?"
"You said you were going to fix the broken lamp. Did you?"
"Not exactly."

Sometimes, it's worse. It's worse than doing something wrong. It's not doing something - something that we should have done - that is the real crime. In spiritual terms, it's called "sins of omission." Why is it that it's worse? (Yes, I know, sin is sin in God's eyes.) It's worse because it's so much easier to justify our lack of action. For example. . . no, I didn't tell a lie. . . I just never told the truth. Ouch!

I don't bring this up to hang some huge guilt necklace around your neck. It's just that as worship leaders and as people involved in ministry, I think it's important that we understand what James says in chapter 4 of his letter: "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (vs 17, slightly paraphrased by yours truly)

I'll be the first to point the finger at myself. When I am honest with myself I realize that there is plenty that I should do. People I should encourage. Brothers in Christ who I should support. Children who need guidance. Missionaries I should be more diligent in lifting up in prayer. Time that I have robbed from God that is wasted on the computer. (Yes, I admit it)

Here are some things that we should be doing for one another. I offer them to you as a somewhat serious reminder that the Christian Life is serious business.

1. Encouraging one another to keep in our minds the image of a sovereign, holy, perfect God. And because He is sovereign, holy, and perfect He wants the best from us as well. If we see someone falling short of the obvious potential that God has given, do we not have a responsibility to remind that person to be a good steward?

2. Teaching one another. That's right. It's the same principle that Pastor Gay mentioned on Sunday - who is your Paul, your Barnabas, your Timothy? Teaching one another does not mean that we have to assume an air of superiority over someone. There is something that I can learn from the youngest member of our team (is that TJ??) and from the oldest (I think Tom wins that award) Withholding something that I need to learn stunts my ability to grow. And growing is what we as believers are to be doing.

3. Holding each other accountable. Again, that's the same principle that we've heard many times. If we fail to hold each other accountable we have ignored and passed over what Scripture clearly teaches us to do. Some feel that it is not their "place" to hold someone accountable - I would suggest that it's EVERYONE'S responsibility to hold peers, leaders, teachers, etc. accountable.

So what's it going to be? Are you preparing a list of lame excuses, or are you prepared to be victorious over the sin of omission? Let's start today to build a community that worships, grows, challenges, and exhorts one another to aspire to the life that God has designed for us to life - a life of purpose, meaning, and commission!