Higher Cost!

It has been suggested that with the continually rising cost of college and university tuition, education is becoming almost as expensive as ignorance. However, ignorance still comes at the highest cost, especially with regard to spiritual matters. We may make it through our lifetime just fine without being aware of geometry’s Pythagorean theorem, being able to list and define the laws of physics, or recite the facts of some other study. Those established truths can be at work all around us without our giving them much thought. Now, please understand I am by no means trying to discourage the pursuit of a good education and the knowledge that will enhance skills relating to professions that might be chosen. However, when it comes to the Will of God, being ignorant of those truths will adversely impact life for both now and eternity.

Note the charge against God’s own people during the time of Hosea.
“MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” ( Hosea 4:6 ESV)

There is the need to recognize where ignorance ultimately places oneself.
“(17) Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. (18) They are darkened in their understanding, ALIENATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD BECAUSE OF THE IGNORANCE THAT IS IN THEM, due to their hardness of heart.” ( Ephesians 4:17-18 ESV)

Destroyed for lack of knowledge! The rejection of knowledge placed in a position to be rejected by God! Hardened hearts and ignorance brought about being alienated from the life of God! Futile was the label for trying to live life based on their own thinking! Devastating stuff when we consider our eternal destiny hinges on the relationship one has with God!

In the setting of the LONG RANGE GOALS of life, let us keep in mind that which is of ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE. Our “higher education” of the things of God will be found to cost much less in the long run than the higher cost of rejecting it.

Rejecting the things Paul had once gloried in (note Philippians 3:4-6), he set his focus on KNOWING CHRIST as intimately as possible. All else was nothing compared to “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” as Lord. ( Philippians 3:8)

Paul went on to express his aim by saying…
“(10) that I may KNOW HIM and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (11) THAT BY ANY MEANS POSSIBLE I MAY ATTAIN THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD.” ( Philippians 3:10-11 ESV)

May we share that LONG RANG GOAL as we seek to maintain a closer relationship with the Lord and His Will. It is that relationship that will enhance life now and provide the assurance of a glorious eternity with Him.

Have a great day STUDYING FOR BEING APPROVED OF GOD!
Carl

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