December 13, 2026 -What We Ought to do

JAMES 4:1-5:20

1 TIMOTHY 1:1-2:15

Chronological Bible Readings

^James4:17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Like when we listen to the words of God but don't do it.

^{1Timothy 1:5} The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. ⁶ But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. ⁷ They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.

I think this is how non-believers come to think of Christians a hypocrite. Imagine not knowing God and meeting a believer: pastor, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, or any other vocal knowledgeable Christian. These people speak boldly and passionately with apparent knowledge and understanding of the word of God, but their actions and words apart from their teaching contradicts scripture. They are prideful, unloving, angry, selfish etc. They clearly don't know what they are talking about because if they did their actions would be humble, loving, full of grace and generosity. What great fuel for the enemy to use to keep an unbeliever from receiving the truth. Our learning and study of the word should be for the purpose of how to apply it to our lives and live it not just know it.

^{1Timothy 1:8} We know that the law is good when used correctly. ⁹ For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. ¹⁰ The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching ¹¹ that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

The law is to convict us of our sin. That conviction of our sin should humble us and drive us to confession and repentance. The law shows us how desperately we need Jesus. It should convict us to seek to know and understand the Good News of Jesus Christ and do our best to live by it. If we are living in any way that contradicts the Good News we are living in sin and we are deceiving ourselves and not doing what we ought to do.