“Understanding plus action is the way of faithful living.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 30, 2026
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:16-17, NLT
Every single day you and I are presented with an opportunity and an invitation. We have the opportunity to drift aimlessly through our day, feeding our passions and gratifying whatever desires may come our way. On the other hand, we have the opportunity to make a profound difference in the world, living as the hands and feet of Christ as we share his love through concrete acts of service, kindness, and mercy. This is the invitation that is always before us, yet our Lord does not force us to respond to his call.
In the traditional English prayer of confession, the penitent confesses what they have “done and left undone.” Sins of commission and omission, it has often been called. I find this “two-fold” approach to sin most helpful. For much of my life, sin was limited in my imagination to things I did wrong. Anger toward a sibling, disrespect toward a parent, lust for a woman, longing for material wealth, etc. These are all easy to identify as sin and worthy of repentance! Yet what about the countless opportunities I’ve had for good that I have ignored or not even noticed because I was too consumed with my own wants and needs?
Paul today invites us to “understand what the Lord wants (us) to do.” This is the first step of obedience. We learn what is pleasing to the Lord and discern the kind of life that is most aligned with his will and ways. However, this knowledge is only the first step. It’s possible to have deep knowledge of the truth without it affecting your actions. Understanding plus action is the way of faithful living. Learn what pleases the Lord, yes, but then take the next step and make the most of the opportunities you have been given, both to avoid that which is evil and to give your life away as a response to the love you have received in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against thee
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen. (General Confession, Book of Common Prayer [1979])
Application
Reflect today on this concept of sins of commission and omission, and consider how you can grow in both areas as you seek to follow Christ as a faithful disciple.
Related Reading
Proverbs 3:27; Micah 6:8; Colossians 4:5
Worship Resource
Bethel Music, Martin Smith, Hannah McClure, Paul McClure: Love Of My Life
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