Passage of the Day:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them, James 4:13-16.
Reflection:
Today’s passage addresses the concept of being amoral. The book definition of amoral is lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with whether something is right or wrong. From a spiritually sense, amoral is simply not knowing the Bible’s stance on a particular action, behavior or deed. As the earthly brother of Jesus addresses Christians in the first century about how fragile life can be, James urges his listeners not to overlook sins of omission. While James’ Jewish parents taught him what not to do, Christians are called to stand up for what is right in the absence of others. This is a call to be proactive in your faith, not just on what not to do, but how you should live in the absence of goodness.
Prayerful Action:
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Ephesians 5:1-2.
Fueling Your Faith This Spiritual Season:
When I was attending Elementary School in New Jersey, my teacher claimed that there was a camera in our classroom. If this teacher didn’t personally observe a behavior that was missed, she said that she would go back and watch the film to catch the guilty individual. After tripping a girl walking back to her seat, this threat worked as I was overwhelmed by guilt, publicly confessing my transgression. Rather than walking around each day like a religious zealot focusing on what not to do, Christians should set their hearts and minds on emulating God’s example so that sins of inaction cease.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
God will give you at least one opportunity to share your faith with someone in church, at school or work daily. Rather than let this chance to shine slip by, seize this moment so that your faith matures to a point where sins of omission aren’t overlooked. When your faith becomes the core of your addiction for Jesus, acts of faith will prevail.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 