MOVING BEYOND IGNORANCE
Scripture: Psalm 4:1-8, Luke 24:36-48, Acts 3:11-19, 1 John 3:1-7
Moving Beyond Ignorance
Christopher B. Harbin
Psalm 4:1-8; Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:11-19; 1 John 3:1-7
Ignorance is bliss. There are so many bits and pieces of information we often believe we do best not knowing. Life is simpler when we ignore the 2.5 million plastic bottles our nation throws away every hour of every day. We are happier remaining ignorant of the political and economic distress that pushes so many Somali young men into piracy. We are happier when we remain unaware of the plight of millions of babies in Africa who have been orphaned in the epidemic of AIDS. We can more readily breeze through life when we ignore the families of Mexican immigrants who depend on what minimum wage earners can send home to feed them.
Ignorance is bliss when it allows us to shut out the cries and plight of others. Ignorance is bliss when it means we can look the other way when the consequences of our actions, choices, and decisions affect others in a negative way. Ignorance is bliss when it allows us to live without much thought to God and God's will for our living in purity, love, and the holiness of Christ Jesus.
There is a time for ignorance. Ignorance is, after all, simply not knowing. It is the natural state of a child born into this world. It is right for a child to come into the world without understanding all the problems of society, all the laws of physics, the principles by which nature is governed, and the will of God. It is not right, however, for us to remain ignorant when our very lives and eternity depend on learning to live according to the parameters set before us by our Creator.
Peter and John announced that the crucifixion of Jesus was the product of ignorance. Certainly, there was more to the issue than simply not knowing, but at heart ignorance drove the crowds and their leaders to nail the Almighty to the cross. Many had heard comments to the effect that Jesus might indeed be the long-awaited Messiah. Many had doubtless hear ...
Christopher B. Harbin
Psalm 4:1-8; Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:11-19; 1 John 3:1-7
Ignorance is bliss. There are so many bits and pieces of information we often believe we do best not knowing. Life is simpler when we ignore the 2.5 million plastic bottles our nation throws away every hour of every day. We are happier remaining ignorant of the political and economic distress that pushes so many Somali young men into piracy. We are happier when we remain unaware of the plight of millions of babies in Africa who have been orphaned in the epidemic of AIDS. We can more readily breeze through life when we ignore the families of Mexican immigrants who depend on what minimum wage earners can send home to feed them.
Ignorance is bliss when it allows us to shut out the cries and plight of others. Ignorance is bliss when it means we can look the other way when the consequences of our actions, choices, and decisions affect others in a negative way. Ignorance is bliss when it allows us to live without much thought to God and God's will for our living in purity, love, and the holiness of Christ Jesus.
There is a time for ignorance. Ignorance is, after all, simply not knowing. It is the natural state of a child born into this world. It is right for a child to come into the world without understanding all the problems of society, all the laws of physics, the principles by which nature is governed, and the will of God. It is not right, however, for us to remain ignorant when our very lives and eternity depend on learning to live according to the parameters set before us by our Creator.
Peter and John announced that the crucifixion of Jesus was the product of ignorance. Certainly, there was more to the issue than simply not knowing, but at heart ignorance drove the crowds and their leaders to nail the Almighty to the cross. Many had heard comments to the effect that Jesus might indeed be the long-awaited Messiah. Many had doubtless hear ...
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