Doing Good in the Sight of God: A Life Pleasing to Him
This Sermon present The Indictment of Omission (James 4:17) Let us turn our hearts and minds to a fundamental aspect of our faith: doing good in the sight of God. It is not merely a suggestion, but a divine command, a path to a life of fulfillment and blessing. To truly walk with God is to reflect His goodness in our actions, our words, and our very being.
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Doing Good in the Sight of God: A Life Pleasing to Him
Texts: James 4:17; Psalm 112:1-2; Colossians 1:10-13 (Supporting Texts: Matthew 25:26-27, 45; Lucas 10:30-37; 7:13; Mark 6:34)
Introduction: Missing the Mark
In the vocabulary of the Christian faith, we often define sin by the bad things we actively commit. We think of violence, dishonesty, or corruption. The Greek word for sin, amartía , literally means "to miss the mark." It connotes a deviation from moral rectitude, integrity, honesty, and incorruptibility. These concepts pierce our conscience like daggers.
However, we often miss the mark not by what we do, but by what we fail to do. This is the heavy reality of the sin of omission—the sin of indifference. It occurs when we know what is right, yet we deliberately choose to look the other way, often creating excuses to justify ourselves.
The Word of God calls us to a higher standard. True biblical wisdom is not merely about accumulating knowledge; it requires obedience. It demands that we have the courage to do what is right so that we may live a life that is fully pleasing to Him.
I. The Indictment of Omission (James 4:17)
The Apostle James brings a sharp, undeniable indictment against human indifference:
"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." (James 4:17)
• A Reflected Truth: Every human being possesses an internal conscience of right and wrong. While conditioned by culture, this conscience still reflects the universal truth of God. This internal awareness is our daily battlefield for obedience to the universal law of love, and it is the very basis upon which God will judge humanity "on that Day."
• Failing to Act: Omission means we witness a need, recognize our responsibility, and still choose paralysis. We omit our praise to God, we fail to remain faithful, and we withhold our generosity and mercy, all while attempting to justify our inaction.
II. Parables of Negligence: The Teachings of Jesus
There is an intrinsic, semantic relationship between James 4:17 and the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:45. James is explicitly recalling a core principle embedded within the parables of Christ: failing to actively perform the good you know is an absolute sin.
1. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:26-27)
In this parable, the master strongly reproves the servant who was trusted with resources but chose to hide them out of fear or laziness. The master does not accuse him of spending the money wickedly; rather, he condemns his complete lack of management: "You wicked, lazy servant! ... You should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest." His sin was negligence.
2. The Final Judgment (Matthew 25:45)
Jesus directly links "doing good" with how we treat the most vulnerable. To omit the good is to fail to serve "one of the least of these." * Strictly speaking, doing good means feeding the hungry, quenching the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, and visiting the sick and the imprisoned. To look upon these needs and do nothing is to neglect Christ Himself.
III. From Passive Empathy to Active Compassion (Lucas 10)
To fully illustrate the danger of omission, we must open our Bibles to the familiar road of Luke 10:30-37—the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
• The Sin of the Righteous: This story highlights a wounded man left for dead by robbers, and two highly religious figures: a priest and a Levite. What was their great sin? They did not attack the man. They did not rob him. Their sin was indifference. They knew exactly what the Law required, yet they passed by on the other side of the road. They were condemned because they failed to do the good they knew was right.
• The Distinction Between Empathy and Compassion: * Empatia (Passive): Empathy simply recognizes the suffering of another person and feels sorry for them. It is passive. Often, the most it does is say, "I will pray for you." While prayer is vital, people in agony usually need more than just our words.
◦ Compaixão (Active): Compassion is far deeper. It means to literally step into the shoes of the suffering person and feel their pain. Compassion is always active; it moves us to take concrete, physical action to solve the problem.
Jesus: The Model of Active Compassion
We see this active compassion perfectly modeled in the ministry of Jesus:
• In Mark 6:34, He looked at the dense crowds, felt deep compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and immediately began to heal and feed them.
• In Luke 7:13, when He met a grieving widow, His compassion moved Him to act directly, raising her dead son back to life. True compassion never stands still; it always does something about the suffering it sees.
IV. Walking Worthily of Our Inheritance (Colossians 1:10-13)
When we actively reject omission and embrace good works, we live out the beautiful blessing found in Psalm 112:1-2: "Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great pleasure in his commandments. His descendants will be powerful in the land."
We have been given spiritual power to perform good works in human history. This capacity to do good is a fundamental part of our glorious heritage. The Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians, explaining the purpose of this divine empowerment:
"So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience." (Colossians 1:10-11)
God did not rescue us from eternal ruin to leave us idle. He delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son (v. 13). We give thanks to the Father because He qualified us to share in this inheritance. Our response to this rescue is to walk worthily, bearing visible, practical fruit in every good work.
A Call to Courageous Action
Beloved, knowing what is right is never enough. True biblical wisdom is measured by our willingness to obey.
The next time you encounter someone hungry, lonely, grieving, or pushed to the margins of society, do not allow passive empathy to freeze your hands. Do not fall into the trap of the priest and the Levite, passing by on the other side while validating your schedule.
Step forward in courage. Let your empathy turn into active, Christ-like compassion. Feed, clothe, visit, and love. Let us use the glorious strength given to us by the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in every good work, ensuring that our lives are entirely beautiful and pleasing in the sight of our Almighty God.
Knows the good
1. Doing Good is a Commandment from God:
Deuteronomy 6:18 instructs us, “And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to give your fathers.” This is not a passive request, but an active command. God calls us to a life of obedience, a life marked by goodness. This obedience, in turn, opens the door to blessings and spiritual prosperity.
2. Doing Good is a Condition for a Fulfilling Life:
Deuteronomy 12:25 reinforces this, “You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord.” Our actions have ripple effects, impacting not only our own lives but also the lives of generations to come. Living righteously brings true peace and harmony, a fulfillment that transcends worldly measures.
3. Doing Good Is Walking in the Ways of the Lord:
2 Kings 12:2 tells us, “And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days that Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” Joash’s prosperity was directly linked to his adherence to godly counsel. When we seek God and follow His guidance, our paths are blessed and our lives are enriched.
4. God Recognizes and Responds to the Good We Do:
Acts 10:31 reminds us, “And he said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God.” Cornelius, a man of faith and good works, experienced God’s recognition and favor. God sees our righteous attitudes and remembers our acts of generosity. Nothing done in His name is ever forgotten.
5. Goodness Must Be the Fruit of a Work of Faith:
1 Thessalonians 1:3 encourages us, “Always remembering your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.” Our good deeds must spring from genuine faith and love. They are not mere outward displays, but reflections of an inward transformation. We must be constant in doing good, knowing it is a testament to our faith.
6. Goodness Pleasing to God Is Based on Truth:
1 Timothy 2:3 clarifies, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Not all that appears good to human eyes is truly good in God’s eyes. True goodness is rooted in His truth, aligned with His will. We must discern what is pleasing to Him, not merely what pleases ourselves.
7. God Empowers Us to Do Good:
Hebrews 13:21 assures us, “Perfect yourselves in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” We are not left to our own devices. God empowers us through the Holy Spirit to perform good works in His name. It is His power, working through us, that enables us to please Him.
8. He Who Does Good Is Pleasing to God and Has His Prayers Answered:
1 John 3:22 affirms, “And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” God’s favor rests upon those who do good. Obedience and righteousness make our prayers more effective, aligning our desires with His will.
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Conclusion
Let us strive to live lives that are pleasing in God’s sight. Let our actions reflect His love, our words reflect His truth, and our hearts reflect His goodness. Let us remember that doing good is not merely a duty, but a privilege, a pathway to a deeper relationship with our Creator. May we walk in His ways, empowered by His Spirit, and find true fulfillment in doing good in His name. Amen.
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Ronaldo Gomes da Silva is a Professor of Homiletics and Education Specialist (UFF, Brazil). A recognized authority in ministerial training, his homiletical frameworks are used globally and were recently cited by the newspaperCEADEMA of State Convention (June 2025).
