Knowing to Do Good and Not Doing It James 4:17

James wrote to the believers who were “scattered abroad” concerning making plans that excluded the Lord's will for them. He concluded “all such rejoicing is evil”, and in chapter four and verse seventeen of his letter, James shares how “it is sin” for those who “know to do good” and “do it not” where we read:

Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

The verse begins, “Therefore to him that knows to do good,...” James began with the word, “Therefore” which is a conclusion word that means “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “to him that knows” which means “to the person whether male or female who perceives, has a notion and discerns with the eyes and the senses” “to do good” or “to make, produce, construct, form, fashion, are the authors of and cause beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable commendable, and magnificent things”. James' conclusion began with concern for the person who is doing “good” by seeking the Lord's will in their lives.

The verse goes on to say, “...and does it not, to him it is sin.” James continued, “and does it not” which means “does not make, produce, construct, form, fashion, are the authors of and cause beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable and magnificent things”, “to him” which refers to “the one that knows to do good” “it is sin” which means “without a share in, to miss the mark, err, be mistaken or wander from the path of uprightness and honor or to do wrong”. James finished his conclusion by stating that when a person “knows” to do “good” and doesn't do it, he or she has “missed the mark” of God.

When we consider these words of James, we should be inspired in at least two ways. First, let us know the “good” thing, and secondly, let us “obey” it when we “know” it. Jesus Christ desires for all of us to know and obey His will for our lives. We should ask Him for His will and direction, and should we have any whims or ideas of our own liking, let us go to Him for His perfect will rather than venturing out on our own. May the Lord Jesus through His Holy Spirit help us to know the wonder of having Him direct our lives, and may we submit to Him when His will is revealed.

Next time we begin the final chapter to James' letter and see him share with “rich men” and their “miseries”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.