Sin Of Omission Essay

Introduction
Often we, as Christians, focus on the so-called big sins we commit, or more often the sins we observe other people committing. However, according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the law of God.” This highlight two types of sin the Christian so often commits, the sin of commission, and the sin of omission. In light of Scripture and by the Spirit’s leading, when we see our sin more clearly, we learn to cling more tightly to the cross, experience the love of God more deeply, and thus learn to live out our walk more fully.
Sins of commission
Theological Definition
Sins of commission can either be presumptuous, where a person intentionally takes action to violate God’s commandments, or they may be sins of ignorance, where a person commits a sinful action without sinful intent. “Unlike the sin of presumption in which there is a definite intent to purposely do evil, the sin of commission does not possess such an insolent attitude. Both sins of commission and presumption …show more content…
Like sins of commission, sins of omission can either be presumptuous, where we knowingly ignore our mandate to take action, or ignorant, where we unknowingly fail to live up to God’s standard (Towns 2002).
Biblical foundation
Beginning with the understanding of God’s character and nature, sins of omission are grave because of the holiness of God. Because God is holy, not only can He not ignore any action that violates His Law, but any action that fails to fulfill the Law. Because of original sin, we are not only sinners because we actively sin, but our sin flows out of our depraved nature outside of Christ. We are never neutral; for example sitting at home doing nothing, while not actively committing a sin, however we are ignoring the need for justice in the world, the display of Christ’s love, and the proclamation of the Gospel.
Practical