The Sin of Omission and the Call to Disciplemaking

Scripture References

  • Numbers 32:23 — “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.” (ESV)

  • Hosea 7:8 — “Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.” (ESV)

  • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)

Stewardship of the Body

People are often surprised when years of unhealthy eating and little exercise leave their bodies in poor condition. Recently, the American people have shown signs of awakening to the importance of good health—by supporting leaders like Bobby Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services, who champions healthy eating and exercise. Functional medicine is also rising in popularity, showing a growing recognition of the need for stewardship of the body.

The Bible reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:15). To neglect our health when it is within our power to care for it is a sin of omission. Numbers 32:23 warns us: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Sins of omission often bring delayed, destructive consequences that leave us asking, “What happened?!”

Just as neglecting physical health has consequences, so does neglecting spiritual health—specifically, the sin of not making disciples. In our homes, churches, neighborhoods, schools, government offices, and social circles, this omission has caught up with us. We call it a “culture war,” but in truth, it is a battle of sin and Satan against righteousness and Jesus.

The State of the Church in America

According to the 2023 PRRI Census of American Religion, 66% of Americans identify as Christians. However, George Barna reported in a May 10, 2024 presentation at Bellevue Baptist Church that only 2–3% of adults in America are true disciples of Jesus. He defines “true disciples” as those who hold and live by a biblical worldview. (see Only 2-3% of Adults in America are True Disciples of Jesus | Dr. George Barna YouTube Bellevue Baptist Church May 10, 2024, about 3 minutes in length.)

Since worldview shapes culture, the fact that only a small fraction of adults hold a biblical worldview explains why righteousness is not influencing the culture of our nation. The root cause? The sin of omission—failure to obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20). The Great Commission is God’s will, and ignoring it is disobedience. Our sin has indeed found us out.

Lessons from Israel

The Northern Kingdom of Israel once enjoyed economic prosperity and military strength but suffered from spiritual poverty. They fell to Assyria in 722 B.C. because they failed to obey Deuteronomy 6:4–7—the Old Testament’s Great Commission. They did not love, know, or obey the One True God, nor did they disciple their children.

Hosea 7:8 describes them as “a cake not turned”—appearing good on one side, but burned and ruined on the other. In the same way, America may look strong economically but is spiritually weak. Of the 66% who claim to be Christians, many have allowed sin to dominate the culture instead of righteousness.

The Way Forward

What is needed today is for the 2–4% of true disciples of Jesus to begin actively fulfilling the Great Commission. This starts with:

  • Abiding in Christ and letting His Word abide in us.

  • Praying effectively for Matthew 28:19–20 to be lived out in our families, churches, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, businesses, and government. (1 John 5:14–15; John 15:7)

  • Refusing to conform to the world’s ways, and instead being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

  • Living and passing on the truth of God’s Word.

  • Making disciplemaking the normal practice of every believer.

When we do this, God will open doors of opportunity with the people He has placed in our lives (Acts 14:27; Matthew 15:24).

Final Call

Now is the time to begin afresh. Learn the Word. Live the Word. Share the Word. Pray for disciplemaking to become the standard of every true follower of Jesus. Be intentional about making disciples in your home and in your sphere of influence.

Our nation does not need more cultural strategies—it needs disciples of Jesus Christ living out the Great Commission.

Ray Haas