There Is No Reward In Ignorance – Know & Follow God’s Word!

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ (Colossians 1:27)

Yesterday, I saw the ‘after-action reports’ on the National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, which I am glad I did not watch ‘live’, and I have great sympathy for our President, Vice-President, and their families for having sat through it. The female Episcopalian priestess gave a very ‘woke’ sermon that was more of a lecture toward the incoming President and his administration. Her sermon was contradictory (to paraphrase her message: ‘illegal immigrants are law-abiding’, ‘LGBTQ should be embraced’) and not Christian-based.

It got me to thinking how this woman got into this position, and could believe the words she was speaking could even be remotely considered to be worthy in a religious ceremony, a ceremony that should be uplifting to Jesus and His cause. I also thought of those of the Episcopalian denomination; how could they support and back such an anti-Christian leader (the woman is a ‘bishop’ in their organization) and such an anti-Christian message?

It came to me that they don’t hold to the Truth of God’s Word because they do not know it. The Bible must not be studied or taken seriously in their denomination. If they were to study it, they would find that it is not proper for women to hold such a leading position, let alone perform such a service when their are men, especially the President and Vice-President, are in attendance. Nor is it proper to provide such topics as spoken in her ‘sermon’ as righteous.

While this may offend some as being ‘sexist’, it is clearly spelled out in 1 Corinthians 11:3 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15 only men should be in such positions in the church. LGBTQ relationships are to be disdained (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and illegal immigrants – while needing to be shown kindness and respect (Leviticus 19:33-34), also need to be deported for their illegal entry having broken the law (Genesis 4:14-16), and then allowed to return in a legal and proper manner, if they so choose to do so following the proper process.

If the Truth cannot be provided, and the Truth is not known, how can the people be blessed by God? There is no reward in ignorance. If the Bible has been read, but is ignored – that is a rejection of God and His Word and is anti-Christian. If the Word is rejected, Jesus is rejected as He is the Living Word (John 1:1-5). It is unfortunate that an entire denomination of people believe they are Christians when they don’t speak or act in the Truth of the Word of God. While I am certain this may not go over too well with any Episcopalians who may read this post initially (if any do), know this is not to condemn but to provide encouragement to them, to study God’s Word and learn the Truth of His ways.

Paul speaks of such rewards when in Colossians he tells of the ‘glorious riches’ of the ‘mystery’ (the mystery being the Gospel truth that Salvation is through the acceptance of Jesus as not only the Messiah but the Lord of All things, including one’s self).  This is why it is important to study God’s Word; what do you not know or are aware of that Christ speaks of, that could be of benefit now in your life? 

Think of it this way, have you ever had a car that you’ve driven for months (or years), wishing it could give you a good, more detailed look at your fuel status (other than the fuel gauge)?  Then one day, while looking for a napkin to wipe your mouth when eating a Big Mac, while driving to your Pilates class (or better yet, the local gun range), you open the glove box and there’s the car’s user manual, which opens up exactly to the page where it explains the buttons on your steering wheel that will enable the display of MPGs and ‘Miles to Go’. The Bible is the same for Christian who doesn’t know Christ; until one opens the Bible, how do you know it and what to do, in a properly Christian manner?

The Bible is the Christian’s User Manual.  There are many things that Jesus will do for and with us that many Christians either don’t know or are unaware because they don’t study the Word.  Many simply take the word of a pastor or a teacher, which if the pastor or teacher is truthful is OK, but everyone should always ‘trust but verify’.  As your fearless teacher and blogger, don’t take my word for it – the message I give should be taken and compared to the Scriptures.  Scriptures are always in agreement, and the more Scriptures you know the more a statement about the Scriptures can be easily discerned as truth or misleading.  Know you Savior; who He is, what He is for, and how He works in your life.  The reward greatly outweighs the effort!