Sins of Omission and Sins of Commission

One Year Bible
Old Testament passage for Saturday, March 23, 2013:  Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46

²⁶ “Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 1:26 (NKJV)

⁴³ So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the Lord, and presumptuously went up into the mountain.  Deuteronomy 1:43 (NKJV)

First, God said to Israel, "Go up and possess the land."  And they refused.  They rebelled.  Therefore, God severely rebuked them.

Then, Israel said that they would now do what God had originally instructed them to do.  They had seen the err of their ways, and now they would go up into Canaan.  But, God said, "It's too late.  DO NOT GO UP."  Israel rebelled a second time by going up when God said not to.  

Herein constitutes the two major ways we disobey God.  We refuse to do that which He clearly tells us to do, and then we headlong DO that which He says "Don't do."

These are called SINS OF COMMISSION and SINS OF OMISSION.  Israel balked when God told them WHAT TO DO.  And then preceded to charge ahead when God told them what NOT to do it.

This is the human predicament and it hits us in the face every day.  Paul echoes this in Romans 7 when he says, "For the good that I want to do, I do not do, and the evil that I don't want, that I do!"  (Rom. 7:19).  Sins of OMISSION and sins of COMMISSION.  

We are all guilty when it comes to this.  We fail to fully do what God clearly tells us to do, and then we do those things that He forbids.  This points me to Jesus!  We can agree with Paul when he says, "O wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  I THANK GOD -- THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD!!! ...  There is therefore NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus!" (Rom. 7:24-8:1).

Herein is the wonder and glory and beauty of a life lived IN CHRIST.  He is our sufficiency.  He is our life.  He is our righteousness.  But for the grace of God, we would be utter failures.  We could never measure up.  But, by His sufficiency, we are more than conquerors.  In that light I can learn to live my life according to His Word.  And that is the best life!