Don?t be ignorant
To be ignorant of a matter means not to be aware of it. However, ignorance sometimes can be wilful. A person can be ignorant because they simply do not know; just do not have the relevant information; or they choose to ignore the matter. Have you ever said 'just ignore him', in that instance it is a voluntary action.
A person can also be ignorant about a matter because they simply cannot be bothered finding out about it or investing time to discover about the matter.
Ignorance sometimes can be very costly. How foolish do you think it will be if it is voluntary ignorance i.e. a person chooses to ignore something.
Lets examine a few things that the bible tells us not to be ignorant of.
Spiritual gifts
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.1 Corinthians 12:1
Paul is saying here, l don?t want you to be ignorant of spiritual gifts. This means that we can be ignorant of this matter and this is why a summary of some spiritual gifts available to us follows in 1 Corinthians 12: 3- 11. Are you aware of them?
Our righteousness
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.Romans 10:1- 4(KJV)
While this scripture starts by referring to Israel, this scripture can be applied to each and everyone of us. You can be zealous for God, however if you are not aware and established in the righteousness that God has wrought for us through Christ, you may struggle in some areas of your Christian walk.
Are you ignorant of Gods righteousness?
Are you trying to establish your own righteousness?
Christ is our righteousness. Do you have a revelation of that in your heart?
Concerning those that are asleep
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.1 Thessalonians 4:13
What a glorious hope we have. We do not need to sorrow for those that have died in Christ and the bible does not want us to be ignorant of this.
The coming of the Lord
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.2 Peter 3:8 - 10
The bible teaches here that ?the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night?, and we are not to be ignorant of this fact though it appears to take a while to come to pass.
The above are a few examples that expressly warn against ignorance however, there are many other areas of our walk in the Lord that one can be ignorant of.
As Christians we need to daily study the word of God, take advantage of various ministry gifts that God has placed in His body to build us up, and trust His spirit to teach us and expose areas of ignorance in our life so we can be well informed and equipped. We should not shut off when certain scriptural truths are being preached as this will result in voluntary ignorance.
We all have areas of ignorance in our lives, however as we walk with God with an open and honest heart, He will begin to bring information across our paths that will enlighten our ignorance.
Bisi Oladipupo
Posted 15 November 2005