THE SIN OF DOING NOTHING

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was friends with some Nigerian pastors and leaders who are making a global difference.

Pastor Omidiran is one such. I submit his latest writing for your consideration. It is full of encouragement to do things right.

His good teaching called:

THE SIN OF DOING NOTHING

BY OLUFUNSO J. OMIDIRAN www.livingsword.org

Man could be accounted sinful by reason of what he is, by reason of what he does and by reason of what he does not. However, when we fail to do what we ought to do, we create an untold problem for others and ourselves.

In this study, we want to examine some instances when men sin because they failed to do something.

1. OMMISSION- not taking prompt action e.g Israel ’s error concerning the Gibeonites (Josh. 9:3-21)

"And Joshua made peace with them and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them" v15

By reason of carelessness, Joshua and his people spared those they ought to have destroyed. They even went as far as swearing an oath of commitment to them. The costly error here is that they failed to seek the Lord. They acted presumptuously. How many times in your life have you also acted like this?

2. COMPROMISE- failure to categorically take a stand for God and against unrighteousness. Inability to actively reject that which is evil or unacceptable to God. E.g Eli became a weakling, a mere shadow of himself; he failed to call his wayward sons to order. The Lord’s anger came upon his entire household.

"Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD….Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel ; and how they lay with the women that were assemble at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all these people. Nay my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him; but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them" 1Sam.2:12,22-25

"And Samuel told him (Eli) every whit and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good" 1Sam 3:18

Eli proved so weak and irresponsible. He lost all that he laboured for in ministry.

3. NEGLECT- E.g Israeli tribes who failed to take full charge of Canaan .

"As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem , the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day" Josh. 15:63

"And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer : but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute" Josh 16:10

"And Joshua said unto the children of Israel , How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?" Josh 18:3

Are we not also failing to possess our own possessions today? To what extent have we neglected our birthright and responsibilities in Christ? (Jer. 48:10). Oftentimes we miss our portion because of unbelief. Unbelief is a lazy attitude in the life of many heirs of the kingdom

4. INDIFFERENCE -E.g Lot who dwelt in Sodom and Gomorrah . He was content with staying there in as much as he was earning a prosperous living. Even when the Angels were rescuing him from the inevitable inferno of divine wrath, he was reluctant to move on (Gen. 19:15,16)

5. BEING BUSY DOING NOTHING- E.g the Prodigal son ( Luk. 15:11-32).The young man seemed to be making waves before other vain-minded men, but he was actually a failure before God. He never realized his failure until he lost all his possessions.

Do not wait to repent later. Repent when you may still be able to recover something. Actually there is no man who will not ultimately repent (now or later), but some will act too slow; they will actually weep and wail in hell but there shall be no more remedy then. Will you wait anymore before you amend your wicked ways before the Lord? Every religious effort of man when a he is out of tune with is Maker is a wasted enterprise.

6. SLACKNESS- Not being firm and decisive. God will not take this kindly with everyone to whom he has committed the destinies of fellow men. How much trouble Pastors and Church leaders caused by reason of indecision. Most often they do not want their big congregations to be offended and so they would not rebuke sharply when the Lord so requires.

"Cursed be he who does the work of the Lord negligently (with slackness, deceitfully)…" Jer. 48:10 AMP

7. FEAR OR TIMIDITY- 1Sam 15:24. When we fail to do what is right simply because we are yielding to the influences of people, those people will not be able to save us in the day of God’s wrath. Is it not better to do the will of God, even, if it is against popular expectation? Is it not costlier to sacrifice the interest of heaven for that of men? Is it not rather of more grievous pain to be rejected by the Lord than by men? Why not ask King Saul?

"And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people and obeyed their voice" 1Sam.15:24

8. UNTAMED LUST OR IN ORDINATE PASSION- E.g Samson, the weakest strong man. He was sold out to his fleshly cravings or appetite for strange women. His future, hope and destiny were truncated. He died as a blind slave along with the uncircumcised Philistines with whom he was romancing. (Judg. 14-16)

Every frivolous 'Samson' in this world will die ingloriously. Do not make yourself a cheap bread to Satan

CONCLUSION:

Think about this: We are in trouble when we fail to be a voice for God where He has placed or sent us; when we are not setting the right example to others who look up to us; when we fail to seek God for deliverance from our known sins, pretending as if all is well and when we take the enemy of our soul for granted as if he is always a fool. SHALOM