What will be the eternal destiny of those who have committed sin? “But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Most of these are categorized as “sins of commission,” since something evil was committed.
However, most have never considered that there is another category of sins, namely “sins of omission.” When we fail to do what ought to be done, we are guilty of the sin of omission. Our society is full of people who live lives that would be classified by their fellow men as “good.” They have never been guilty of rape, murder, embezzlement, etc. The listing of bad things they have not done is long indeed. Many labor under the illusion that since they are “not too bad,” they will enter heaven.
Jesus provided a glimpse of the future judgment. Those who fed the hungry, provided drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked and visited the imprisoned, were told, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom…” (Matthew 25:34).
Others heard these words, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire…” (Matthew 25:41). What were the heinous crimes they had perpetrated? Actually, it was not what they had done, but what they had not done that brought this judgment. For “I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not” (Matthew 25:42, 43). They had omitted benevolent activities. It is not enough to simply refrain from evil activity, but God requires we actively serve Him by serving others.
One of the most scathing rebuke sections of Scripture is found in Matthew 23. Here is a sample: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone” (Matthew 23:23).
Do not congratulate yourself for what evils you have not done. The prophet of old wrote, “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). “To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Read 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 and find out the punishment awaiting those who fail to obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Have you learned the pure New Testament Gospel? Have you obeyed that Gospel? If you would like to learn it, and obey it, please contact the Church of Christ in your area for a class.
