" Ignorance Is Not Bliss "

Acts 17:29-31   " Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of GOD, we ought not to think that the GODhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance GOD winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because HE hath appointed a day, in the which HE will judge the world in righteousness by that MAN WHOM HE hath ordained; whereof HE hath given assurance unto all men, in that HE hath raised HIM from the dead. "

     We can go through life without knowing many things. Our ignorance of those things has no effect upon how we live - we simply do not know anything about such things. But there are other things that can have a detrimental effect upon us if we are ignorant of them. What we do not know can hurt us. Even though people do things contrary to GOD  "through ignorance"  (Acts 3:17), they are still guilty, GOD's requirement is clear:  "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out"  (Acts 3:19). Today's text makes it plain that GOD is a gracious and merciful GOD, but HE does not  "wink at"  or "overlook" man's sin - regardless of whether or not he sins in ignorance. When a person is ignorant of GOD's righteousness, he will go about trying to establish his own righteousness, which only condemns him (Romans 10:3-4).

     The Bible describes those who are living their life without CHRIST in these words:  "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of GOD through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart"  (Ephesians 4:18). But when CHRIST enters our life, we are no longer to be  "fashioning [ourselves] according to the former lusts in [our] ignorance" (1st. Peter 1:14), but we are to be living holy lives (1st. Peter 1:15-16). One aspect of living such a life is to know GOD's WORD and not be ignorant of what GOD says. Many believers are unaware of important biblical truths such as Satan's devices or purposes for their lives (2nd. Cor. 2:11); the pretribulation rapture, which could happen at any moment (1st. Thess. 4:13-18); and GOD's coming judgment (2nd. Peter 3:3-14). Do not be ignorant ! GOD wants you to know HIS WORD and will ! PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org