I am drawn to the subject of ignorance that prevails in the lives of many professing Christians. There is rampant idolatry, depression, fear, bondage, sexual immorality, etc., that counselors and pastors have to deal with in the sheep-fold of the Christian faith. In my experience it is the blight of ignorancethat is the cause of this sad situation.
Just think of how many times you have advised someone that what they are doing is not wise. That what they are doing is going to end up in a total forfeiting of all that is of value to them. And, before long, they have chosen to discard the counsel and are back in a pitiful state of mind and behavior. We know the consequences of this condition from the Scripture; “For innumerable evils have surrounded me, my iniquities have overtaken me so that I am not able to look up; therefore my heart fails me.” Psalm 41:12
We have Paul mentioning ignorance in Ephesians 4:17-21 as a state of being alienated from the LIFE of God. “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart, being past feeling, having given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” Paul writes to the Ephesian believers that they have been taught the truth in Jesus and are no longer in this predicament because they “[have been] made alive in Christ Jesus, who were once dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph. 2:1)
Whereas before the Ephesian believer’s disposition was driven through ignorance by his fallen Adamic nature to indulge his appetites and passions, he is now inclined by grace to live righteously. Peter writes in I Peter 1:14; “…as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in your conduct.” Many professing believers in Christ Jesus have abandoned obedience to God and His Word and are languishing in the web of their sinful choices. Ignorance is defined as “without knowledge” and many times this is the case. Persons who have come to Christ have not been nurtured and/or discipled. And, sometimes the new believer, of his own doing, has no desire for the pure milk of the Word. (I Peter 2:2) But, others who are very knowledgeable in Scripture are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (II Timothy 3:7)
Let me say that they have never come to a living knowledge of the truth. It’s not that they have not heard truth or been taught truth, for they have. They have simply failed to submit to the truth once and for all. And, they remainignorant in their foolishness.
Maybe there are some reading this that can identify with what I have been writing. I would encourage you to repent of this ignorance and to get back in the light. Pray God will give you a hunger and thirst after righteousness again. Find a friend or mentor who can help you get back on track; one who knows God’s Word. Get back into the teaching, preaching and fellowship of a local church. Commit yourself to reading the Scriptures daily in a quiet time. Stay under the means of grace and God will show up. Trust Him! He is faithful, compassionate, and forgiving. (Proverbs 3:5&6)