James 4:17 — A Question
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “As Christians, if we fail to tell people about the saving gospel of Christ, are we not in violation of James 4:17?”
We all know people — perhaps hundreds of people who are being held hostage by Satan, even as he awaits the opportunity to greet them as they die in an unrepentant and unforgiven state. Let’s ask ourselves this question: “If we were put on trial for our inaction regarding lost souls, what would the verdict be?”
We might first think that we’ll be responsible in judgment for things we did, and we would be correct according to the Scriptures:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
But the standard of right and wrong does not end with our overt actions: James tells us:
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
So the question becomes: “As Christians, is it our responsibility to tell others of the saving gospel of Christ, that they may believe, obey, and thereby be saved? If the answer is yes (and it is – cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16), and we aren’t fulfilling that solemn responsibility when we have the opportunity (Gal. 6:10 KJV), is that not sin? The Bible says we will fall under God’s condemnation and be held accountable (cf. Ezekiel 33:1-8).
Jesus Himself proclaimed that the judgment of condemnation will apply to those who fail to do what they should. Note:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me’” (Matthew 25:41-43).
Christ says of these individuals: “These will go away into everlasting punishment” (Matthew 25:46).
If we saw someone foundering in a swimming pool while we held a life preserver, would we not throw it to the drowning person immediately? To not throw it would be inhuman — in fact, most sane folks would say so. In our hands, we hold the life preserving good news of God’s saving grace. Can we suppose that, if we fail to share it with those dying in sin, the righteous Judge will find us innocent?