Know how to do good but decide not to do!
Scriptures for this study: James 4:13-17
A. Scriptures as recorded:
1. Now listen, you who say,
"Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." James 4:13
2. Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow.
What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanish away. James 4:14
3. For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that.
But now you rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. James 4:15-16
4. Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17
B. Understand it from the original Greek text:
1. It is good to plan a business to make legitimate money for necessities for physical life on earth!
2. It is bad not to know what is your life! Your life is a vapor appears for a little time then vanish!
3. It is good to know, God decide how long and where you live! Acts 17:26
4. In planning to do things, it is good to say: If Lord willing, we will do this or that!
5. It is bad to think that you can plan your own future!
6. When you know how to do good works but decide not to do it.
Decide not to do the good works which you are able to do, this action is bad always ethically.
C. The word know in James 4:17 in original Greek is in the sense of these following:
1. Matt.7:11--> If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, …
2. Matt.7:15-16 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. …
3. Phil 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
4. 1Thes 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, (even) your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;
that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,.
5. 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord know how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.
D. Examples:
1. Decide to warn them with what says in the Bible, good action in ethical sense!
Eze.3:18 When I say to a wicked man, `You will surely die,'
and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and
I will hold you accountable for his blood.
2. Decide not to warn them with what says in the Bible, bad action in ethical sense!
Eze.3:19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
3. In the case of the Samaritan man decided to stop help the half dead man. Luke 10:27-35
The priest and the Levite decided not to help were bad action in ethical sense!
The Samaritan decided to help the half dead man on the road, his action was a good one!
4. Yes, good works can be done by anyone at anywhere.
Bad action for those decide to them in the world their actions were bad.
Those who do those same good works in the churches of Christ, their actions were good
.5. If their actions in doing all the good works in the churches of Christ, their harvest would be 2/3 more!
When good works done anywhere in the world, their harvest things in the world.
When same good works done in the churches of Christ, they save people, save souls, glory and thanks also rise up to the Father in heaven! 2 Cor.9:9-13, Matt.5:16
May the Lord bless you and keep you always. Preach this on December 21, 2014.
Video: English Cantonese – Recorded 12/21/14
Part 1