Dangerous Ignorance!

When someone says, “Stand back. I want to try something!”, it might be very wise to do so. Someone has stated, “There is nothing more terrifying than ignorance in action.” [source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C. McKenzie] Perhaps we have found ourselves stepping away from someone who was about to fix something they really knew nothing about. Such actions may be followed by a splattering mess, sparking wires, gushing water, or even an explosion. However, the worst consequence of ignorance is not bodily injury or loss of life, but the loss of eternal life.

Though it was God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, it was ignorance in action that played a role in sending Him there. ( Acts 3:17-18) Paul had acted with such ignorance as well ( 1 Timothy 1:13) during the time when he spoke against Christ and persecuted the church. Peter noted that ignorance can be self-destructive as it twists the truth. ( 2 Peter 3:16)

In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he exhorted. . .
“(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)

We are surrounded by people who think they are wise enough to live their life without any acknowledgment of God. Just as Paul warned Timothy who was at Ephesus (see 1 Timothy 1:6-7), even today there are those making “confident assertions” without fully understanding what they are talking about. The hardness of heart that provides the ground for ignorance is what was keeping those Paul mentioned in his Ephesian letter ALIENATED FROM GOD and the life He desires to provide now and for eternity.

To come to know God, one should realize being separated from Him is a horrifying thing. David seems to have expressed such separation was the worst thing he could imagine. ( Psalm 51:11) He therefore acknowledged his need for repentance of sin and looked to God for the restoration he needed. May we also remain submissive to the truth God has revealed so that we may wisely retain the relationship that can be enjoyed now and for evermore!

Have a great day ACTING IN THE WISDOM OF GOD’S WORD!
Carl

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