There is much to learn from Jesus’ standing still at the cry of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). Contemplating the possibility of ruining His perfection with a sin of omission (by ignoring an opportunity to serve when He had the time and ability to do so) is sobering. To have ignored Bartimaeus’ plea on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem would have incurred the same guilt before God as the priest and Levite did when each "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32). Thankfully, our Lord avoided this potential snare of Satan.

Like termites, sins of omission can slowly weaken and destroy a Christian. Even though you have not committed a scandalous public sin nor has a grievous work of the flesh blackened and scarred your life, you still can be lost. By just minding your own business and doing as little as possible for the cause of Christ, you are feeding a cancerous and deadly sin.

In His final parable (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus declared the real and extreme danger of failing to obey God. The righteous were those who had fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, took in strangers, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and attended to the prisoners (vv. 35-36). The unrighteous did not (vv. 42-43) and were sent away into everlasting punishment (v. 46).

Failing to do the right thing when you have the opportunity and ability to do good is failing to love your neighbor (Luke 10:25-37). It is impossible to love God acceptably (the greatest commandment) when you fail to love your neighbor (1 John 4:20-21; Matthew 22:37-40).

Doing good unto all (Galatians 6:10) is not a divine suggestion; it is a divine expectation. God expects His children to follow the example of His only-begotten Son who went about doing good (Acts 10:38). Like Jesus, every Christian is to be:

A failure to comply with God’s expectations is sin (James 4:17).

Sins of omission (i.e., failing to do what God says) are just as effective at keeping you out of heaven as sins of commission (i.e., doing what God says to not do). Therefore, taking an honest and careful inventory of your priorities and actions is essential to being and remaining faithful to God.

It is clear, for example, that assembling with brethren for worship and Bible study is God’s weekly expectation for His people (Hebrews 10:24-25; Ephesians 4:15-16). When assembly time comes are you present, or are you guilty of the sin of omission?

Communing with God on a daily basis is essential to your spiritual health and growth (Acts 20:32). Reading and meditating upon God’s word coupled with prayer are vital to your fellowship with God. Is this your daily habit, or are you guilty of the sin of omission?

God expects His people to show love to strangers (Hebrews 13:2). When we have visitors to your services are you cordial and welcoming, or are you guilty of the sin of omission?

God expects His children to greet one another warmly. Paul instructed the Philippians to "salute every saint in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:21). The apostle John closed his final epistle with the words: "Greet the friends by name" (3 John 14). Paul and Peter both commanded a warm, friendly greeting when brethren are together (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14). Is this your practice, or are you guilty of the sin of omission?

Sins of omission slowly, steadily, and stealthily extinguish the fire of a Christian’s zeal. As zeal diminishes, the deadening disease of lukewarmness increases. Like our Lord, we must ever beware of sins of omission.