"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17)
Knowing what to do and not doing it (sins of omission) is just as sin-filled as knowing what not to do and doing it anyway (sins of commission). Perhaps we think we aren't 'bad' sinners (aka: 'good' people) when we avoid sins of commission that can be seen, or discovered, by the eyes of those around us. Examining sins of omission should disabuse us of our false notions that we are 'good'.
For example God tells us to...
Trust...and we omit trust through constant fears. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Love...and we omit love by hiding hatred in our hearts. (Matthew 22:37)
Forgive...and we omit forgiveness by holding grudges. (Ephesians 4:32)
Bear with one another...and we omit that by becoming annoyed. (Colossians 3:13)
Hope...and we omit hope by harboring doubt. (Psalm 62:5-6)
Believe...and we omit belief when challenges arise. (Acts 16:31)
Endure...and we omit endurance through copious complaints.(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
etc., etc., etc.
I'm not suggesting that a Christ follower should wallow helplessly in thoughts of sins, whether commission or omission, but I do recommend that sins of omission are considered before strutting like a proud peacock in a public show of 'goodness'. The more we see our sin, the greater our peace will be. The more we see it on the back of Christ, that is.
