The Sin of Omission

Not what you're expecting! The title of one of Dallas Willard's books is "The Great Omission", dealing with the neglected part of the Great Commission--teaching believers everything that Jesus taught his apostles.

I think about many whom I have known over the years who were Biblically knowledgeable and yet have borne so little spiritual fruit. Conversely, I have known some who know so little about Scripture but have hearts of love and compassion.

Yet the expectation of Jesus remains. Continue to teach my followers my words! Which words? Well, the Sermon on the Mount should be internalized, as it begins with "practicing the commands" (Matthew 5:17-20) and ends with hearing and doing "these words of mine" (Matthew 7:24-27). Note that we are not just supposed to know these words, but we are to do them, to have the kind of hearts from which obedience is a natural response.

This hits me hard these days as I see a brother dying in hospice, and the mother of a sister soon passing in a nursing home. I don't know much about the spiritual lives of either, and I don't know what they were taught--intentionally taught--about being a student of Jesus. Part of our assurance at the end of our pilgrimage is having the character of the One we claim to follow (2 Peter 1:3-8, 10-11).

It's verse 9 that gives me pause. Peter says, "If anyone does not have them," then their knowledge is ineffective (doesn't affect their lives) and unproductive (bearing no fruit). How difficult would it be to give any assurance to one facing death if he or she lacked any evidence of salvation apart from being part of a church!

I don't mean to downplay our need for grace. Nor am I saying you need a PhD in theology to have a claim on God's acceptance. But if being taught (and expected to put into practice the things taught) are necessary, and neither is being done....