Part 1 | Why Do We Believe There’s Something To Do?

One of the greatest challenges we deal with is ignorance of sin. Ignorance, some say, is bliss. This is somewhat biblical as the Preacher observed, “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18).

But we all realize that ignorance is not bliss — someone may be ignorant they are dying from cancer, but that ignorance does not protect them from the debilitating effects of it. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah described the sins of God’s people, Israel, as putrefying sores (Isaiah 1:5-6). This helps us understand how God sees us when we go against His perfect will.

In the New Testament there is a church that Jesus speaks against because they don’t see the reality of their condition:
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:15-19).

This passage reminds me of a time when I witnessed a homeless man in Chicago. My friends and I were at the Sears Tower and were waiting for the elevator to take us up to the observation floor. While waiting, and with the advantage of the one-way glass, we saw a homeless man come to the mirrored side of the glass checking his attire — he basically straightened his tattered tie and then gave himself a big thumbs-up! What we saw was not what he saw!

We are like this man — we check ourselves out using ourselves as a sorry standard while God sees us for what we really are: “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:21-23).

Solomon advises us to “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). This is reason enough why it matters what we read and watch. Too many people are consumed with current events that they forget the eternal events of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 9:11-14), His resurrection from death by the glory of the Father (Romans 6:4), and His ascension back to heaven from which He came (John 13:3).

Indeed, we want to assume that everyone is good. The Scriptures maintain that we are born innocent of sin (we bear the consequence of Adam’s sin, not the guilt of his sin); but there comes a time when we begin to discern between the right thing to do and the wrong thing to do. And ignorance of the wrong thing does not exempt us from the guilt of choosing to sin.

Jesus said, “And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating” (Luke 12:47-48).

“But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22).

Remaining ignorant of our sins against God does not make us less responsible — it may be that our punishment is not as severe, but an eternally less-severe punishment in Hell does not sound at all like a good thing. The Bible presents to mankind that Hell is where “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night” (Revelation 14:11).

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Open the New Testament book of Mark and begin reading it. Read it with an open mind. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).