Anyone who knows the right thing to do,
but does not do it, is sinning.
—James 4:17
Jesus had harsh words for three towns: “Woe to you Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum!” (Mt 11:21, 23). He even said the sorry cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom were better than them.
What had they done to receive such censure? Well, he had favored their towns with his presence and ministry—and they had rejected him.
Theirs was the sin of negligence. They knew about Jesus but snubbed him. They neglected the responsibilities of privilege. The greater our privileges, the greater our guilt when we ignore them.
Theirs was the sin of indifference. They weren’t hostile to Jesus, didn’t badmouth or bully him, didn’t ask him to leave them alone and leave their town. They simply ignored him.
Negligence of Jesus and indifference toward him were serious sins. Still are.
Indifference is the antithesis of love.