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Many people would say "I'm not much of a sinner. I might tell a white lie now and then, or say something unkind on the spur of the moment. But the big sins? No: I've never even come close to murdering anyone. I've never stolen from a shop or burgled a house. I am outraged, disgusted and saddened when I hear about all the evil crimes in the world on the News." All wrong thoughts and actions are sins to God. Many believers can accept that, and assume that sin means ONLY doing something BAD. But Jesus teaches us that NOT doing something GOOD when we are presented with an opportunity...is also sinful. It's a "sin of omission". Neglect is a sin. Jesus said, in John chapter 15 verse 12, "My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you." Love means really caring for others. How many opportunities do we miss, or not bother with, each day? We could visit someone, give food, comfort, encourage...but don't.
But one very important thing should be noted here: people are not saved by performing good deeds and acts of love. They are saved ONLY by faith. The Christian faith is believing in the Son of God, who came to earth to forgive our sins by taking them on Himself on the cross of Calvary. Acts of love are signs of true faith...the fruit of faith. Jesus is not now on earth in the flesh, He is with the Father, but we have chances to serve Him by helping others, and He sees all of these. If you don't love and serve others, can you really call yourself a Christian? God looks at your heart. Psalm 62 verse 12 says "You yourself, O Lord, reward everyone according to his deeds" (in heaven). Proverbs 19 verse 17 says "When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back."
Here are some words of advice from the New Testament: Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6 "No-one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him." Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 and 9 "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts but God's gift, so that no-one can boast about it." James chapter 2 verses 14 to 17 "My brothers and sisters, what good is it for people to say that they have faith if their actions do not prove it? Can that faith save them? Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and do not have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them 'God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!' - if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead."
