Sin of omission, as highlighted in James 4:17, is the failure to do good when it is within our power to act. This principle obligates us to act rightly when we know what should be done; to neglect this duty is sin. God's approach, as seen in the call for justice and righteousness in Amos 5, emphasizes positive action, continuously doing good as a means to avoid sin. Jesus Christ exemplified this by performing acts of justice and goodness, aligning with the internal standard of righteousness that guides such external deeds. In Proverbs 3:27, God instructs not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our power to help. There are times when we are positioned to assist, yet for various reasons, we may refrain. This failure to act, as illustrated in Matthew 25, can determine one's standing before God. Those who did not help when they had the means were deemed as sinning, missing the opportunity to serve Christ indirectly by aiding the least of His brethren. The Parable of the Good Samaritan further underscores this sin of omission, where the priest and Levite, despite having the ability to help the injured man, chose not to act. In contrast, the Samaritan provided aid, demonstrating the righteousness of helping when the opportunity arises. Galatians 6:10 reinforces this by urging us to do good, especially to fellow believers, as we have the chance. This extends beyond physical aid to include spiritual support, such as offering encouragement during trials or providing necessary correction, though care must be taken to avoid causing offense. Failing to act when we have the opportunity, whether due to reluctance to sacrifice time, energy, or risk to a relationship, constitutes falling short and is indeed sin.

Sin, in its many forms, poses a significant barrier to achieving holiness. Among these forms are sins of omission, where one neglects to do what is right rather than actively committing a wrong. Righteousness, as shown in the life of Jesus Christ, is not merely the passive avoidance of sin but involves active right-doing. Jesus went about doing good, thereby avoiding sins of omission. It is in this area that many fall short, failing to actively pursue justice and righteousness. The call to establish justice and righteousness, as seen in the book of Amos, requires continuous activity, like waves rolling into shore without ceasing. Justice, as correct moral practice in relation to others, and righteousness, as being upright and in line with God's standards, must be actively cultivated internally and applied externally in daily life. Neglecting to do so constitutes sins of omission, leading to a failure to internalize God's standards deeply in the heart. This omission of active pursuit has consequences, as illustrated in Matthew 25, where failing to do good equates to unrighteousness and carries severe judgment. The difference between Christ and others lies in His active righteousness—He did not fail to do what is right, establishing and building upon it. Even sins committed in ignorance, as addressed in Leviticus and Numbers, are still sins requiring atonement and repentance, though the punishment may be less severe. God reveals these sins, and they must be cleansed, emphasizing that ignorance does not absolve one from responsibility. Thus, sins of omission, the failure to actively do good and live out God's instruction, remain a critical area of struggle. They hinder the development of true holiness and must be addressed through deliberate, active cultivation of righteousness and justice in accordance with God's will.

Sin is not only in the acts we commit but also in what we fail to do. In the parable found in Matthew 25, the sin was not in what was done, but in what was neglected. The failure to act, motivated by the sin within, led to a curse, revealing the gravity of such omission. Additionally, sins can be committed in ignorance, as shown in Numbers 15 and Luke 12, where even unknowing transgressions result in punishment, though not the severest form. The presence of sin as an ever-present influence in our lives underscores the importance of remaining close to God, who mercifully hedges us in, protecting us from the worst of its effects.