Ignorance – Who’s At Fault?
Knowledge is a valuable commodity. Many spend a great deal of money and time to acquire knowledge. This occurs in a variety of areas of study. This is primarily because folks don’t want the stigma associated in being identified as ignorant. Perhaps some fail to realize that being Ignorant is simply having a lack of knowledge or information about a particular topic or thing. The word "ignorant" is an adjective describing a person in the state of being unaware, or without knowledge in a certain area or field.
Fact is, one may be ignorant through no fault of his or her own. One may not be informed or educated in a certain field and as a result, they’re ignorant in that regard. Ignorance is not necessarily stupidity. I’m not stupid enough to attempt performing a surgery on someone, or climb into the cockpit of an airline and try to fly a plane. One reason I’m not foolish enough to do these things is that I am fully aware that I am ignorant of how to do these things. This is my fault as I have not endeavored to learn these things.
However, there is no excuse for ignorance when it comes to knowing about God as Romans 1:18-20 makes abundantly clear. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
It is amazing to me that one can look at the clouds, the beauty of the things God has made and put in place, and in any way deny God. It is a tragedy that “so-called” science makes up theories as to how (& when) things came to be and how they remain. Hebrews 1:2 says that Christ “made the worlds”, and Hebrews 1:3 tells us that He upholds “all things by the word of his power”.
Now, let’s address the fault of “ignorance” when it comes to God’s Word. One of the best passages I can think of is found in Hosea 4:6. We can see here that ignorance of God’s Word not only affects the present generation but has ramifications regarding following generations. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. When people fail to teach their children God’s Word, the children are ignorant of it. What occurs then? Much like the Jews of Romans 10:3, they don’t submit to God’s Word. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Fortunately, God saw to it that there is no acceptable excuse for ignorance. At one point, God had His Word preached everywhere as the Spirit had Paul write in Colossians 1:21-23. It was not the fault of God nor of Paul’s that the Word of God was not followed by all. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; We can also see that the prayers on behalf of Paul in Ephesians 6:19-20 were answered. His request - And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Additionally, God saw to it that His Word was written so all could know it. The Spirit had Paul address the things that were written in the O.T. Law and why it was written. Romans 15:4 tells us: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. We are able to see how that old Law directs toward hope in Galatians 3:22-23. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
How was “the faith” revealed? Through the gospel of Christ. The Spirit had Paul to express it this way in Romans 1:16-17. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. How then can you have faith? Romans 10:17 tells us the only way. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Don’t be ignorant! If you are ignorant regarding God’s Word, it’s your own fault. Look into God’s Word and follow it. Know the joy that comes from serving God according to His Word. Avoid the wrath of God that comes upon “them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2Thessalonians 1:8) Let us know if we can help.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
