Daily Devotional for Tuesday, March 19

The Fruit of Sin

“But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin,” James 4:16, 17.

There is a saying, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” That is true in the secular world, and it is true in our relationship with God. We are accountable for the law, even if we do not know all the details. On the other hand, the case is strong that our accountability for the things we understand is greater than our accountability for things of which are unclear.

Just before this passage, James was talking about a group of men who made all sorts of fancy plans for their lives and failed to bring God into their projects. Our devotional passage tells us that what these men were guilty of was more than a casual disregard for God’s will. Here, the text indicates that these men clearly understood God’s will and direction but were more or less thumbing their noses in God’s face. They affirmed God’s existence and even the supremacy of His will, then proceeded to disobey it. We can see this in the phrase, “Him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not.” James here addressed willful disobedience and rebellion towards God.

We see pride, arrogance and boastfulness. We also see a group of men who are determined to be the masters of their own destiny, regardless and perhaps in open defiance of the will of God.

What keeps you from God? Pride, arrogance and a desire for self- determination keep saved believers from the entire relationship they could have with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Are these things keeping you from Him? If they are, turn away from that and turn back to God. Put away pride and submit to His will.

JUST A THOUGHT
Is your attitude this? “God, I have this, and I will holler if I need You.” If it is, that is sin.

Wally Fry