IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

"H2O is hot water, and CO2 is cold water." "The pistol of a flower is its only protection against insects." "Mushrooms always grow in damp places and so they look like umbrellas." "Three kinds of blood vessels are arteries, vanes and caterpillars." "To remove dust from the eye, pull the eye down over the nose." "The alimentary canal is located in the northern part of Indiana." All of the above are actual answers given on science tests. Each of us are ignorant concerning different subjects. The areas where I have expertise, you may know nothing about, and vice versa. Many of the things we know little or nothing about will have no effect on our lives one way or another. Knowing nothing about the physics of a black hole in space probably will not hinder me from living a rewarding life. However, since the beginning of time there is one subject which all peoples of all nations must know: God’s desire for them.

God made known his plan to Noah by revealing he would cover the earth with water to destroy the wicked. God’s desire for Noah was for him to build an ark in which he and his family would escape the ravaging waters (Genesis 6:13 ff.). God’s desire for the nation of Israel was that they should remain faithful to his word and he would bless them, but, if they chose not to obey he would curse them (Deuteronomy 28). He gave them laws by which they could be obedient to Him. God’s desire for everyone living today is to come to an obedient faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Revelation 2:10). God has revealed his hope for us and how we might acquire obedient faith through the Bible, and specifically the New Testament.

So what if a person is ignorant of God’s desire for them? Will He excuse them? Proverbs 29:18 tells us, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." God told Israel through the prophet Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." (Hosea 4:6 NKJV). Years later, the apostle Paul would write, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." (Romans 10:1-3 NKJV). It is evident from these passages that Israel’s ignorance of God’s desire for them would not excuse them. Jesus, through the gospel, has made it abundantly evident to us that ignorance will not excuse us. Luke records our Lord’s words, "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few." (Luke 12:47-48 NKJV). Although the punishment of the ignorant will be tempered, they will still be punished.

You may not know what the pistil of a flower is or what certain scientific symbols mean and never regret it. But one day you will regret not knowing God’s desire for you. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32 NKJV). Do not allow your ignorance of God’s desire to keep you from heaven. Get out your Bible, study it, and learn the truth which will make you free from your sins and lead you on the path to an eternal home with God.