“Truly,
these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to
repent, “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge
the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given
assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 NKJV
What
exactly does the word “ignorant” mean to you?
I confess there are times when I am surprised by some of the words I
read in the scriptures simply because it is obvious to me that God is more than
willing to “call it like He sees it”. I
am sure most of us would agree that the word ignorant is not to be considered a
compliment, so when I first read this passage I was more than a little curious
to see exactly why it was being used, and the context in which it
occurred. I would also have to confess
my curiosity was more than likely aroused because of the fact that many would
look around and feel these words were written about the world we live in today.
This
passage describes the apostle Paul speaking in the city of Athens to the
philosophers of the day at the Areopagus on Mars Hill. He is commenting on the inscription on one of
their altars dedicated to “the unknown God”.
The Greek word used here for ignorance is agnoia which means a lack of knowledge, or a moral blindness, especially
as it relates to the divine. Paul takes
this opportunity to explain to them that the times of ignorance are now over
because God has revealed Himself to man in the person of Jesus Christ. Because of this, mankind is now placed in the
position of either choosing to repent of their sin and accept the salvation
offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, or rejecting the gift of
eternal life in heaven with the Father.
Paul
goes on to say that although the choice is ours to make, He has already fixed a
day in which He will judge the world according to its choice, and we can be
sure of that because God showed us His power by raising Jesus from the
dead. Because of this revelation through
the person of God’s Son, the times of ignorance are over and should the world
choose to reject what God has revealed it could accurately be said that it is
not from ignorance, but from arrogance. Why
arrogance? If you take the time to think
about those you might have considered to be arrogant in the past, what would be
the one trait you would think they all have in common?
And
when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others
said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
Acts 17:32 NKJV
Did
you notice that the reaction of those who chose not to believe was not simply a
rejection but an attitude of mocking?
Arrogant people are people who choose not only to reject what you have
to say, but mock your choice as if you are a fool for believing. Yet God has made it clear who the fools
really are, and He has also made it clear what their destiny is, and what the
future holds for them.
For the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be
known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the
creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so
that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not
glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and
their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:18-22 NKJV
Throughout
the Bible, there are many words used to describe those who refuse to accept the
wisdom of the revealed Word of God. Just
to name a few, badness, stupidity,
emptiness, thick headedness, insipid, senselessness, and heedlessness. Just as these words used define a common rejection
of God’s wisdom, they also are used to describe a common rejection or disregard
for spiritual and moral values. Paul
tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that this is what we see in those who
choose to reject God’s revelation, and it is these behaviors we must seek to
avoid if we have truly “learned Christ”.
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;
who, being past
feeling, have 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: Ephesians 4:17-21 NKJV
For
this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice,
but as bondservants of God. 1Peter
2:15-16 NKJV
Paul
makes it clear what the destiny of those who choose the arrogance of rejection
of God’s revelation perfectly clear. Yet
he also makes it clear what the reward for our acceptance of His sacrifice on
our behalf is as well. While the world
will be judged for their rejection, we will be elsewhere rejoicing in our
salvation.
“Their
destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their
shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And
we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil 3:19-20
But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8-9 NKJV
For God
did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should
live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just
as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NKJV
Every day we can look at the world in which we now live and see the arrogance of those who have chosen to reject God's message to mankind. If
you have chosen to believe that you are a sinner, and have accepted the gift of
salvation offered by God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, you can
rest easy with the knowledge that you will not face the judgment which is to
come for those who have chosen to reject God’s revelation. If you haven’t yet made that choice, I
encourage you to do it today. You can do
that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God
has offered all of us by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord Jesus, I
know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from
my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my
personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Keep
watching.
