Ignorance is bliss?

Okay, we need to get something straight here… 

Ignorance is a choice.  It is not an excuse.  It has a level of personal accountability within it. 

Why… because ignorance is choosing to ignore.  It is not “not knowing” something.  We can not be held accountable for what we do not know…

but there are real consequences to knowing something and choosing to ignore it…

Like choosing to ignore the cross… choosing to ignore the facts about salvation… and the empty tomb.

It is one thing to be unlearned and another thing altogether to be ignorant.

“and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men” Acts 4:13

When we read this sense a hint of judgmental attitudes on the part of those doing the perceiving… but do we get the full sense of what was being said?

These were Jews who were looking on the apostles and making the determination regarding the Law (for that was what was the concern of the Jews) that not only were the apostles unlearned… meaning that it was clear that they had not officially studied the Law… but they were ignorant of it… meaning that they chose to ignore what was obvious.  This statement in Acts 4:13 was a harsh criticism. And it was one that was made because of two other things that they had seen.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John” and “they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” v. 13

Peter and John had what so many wanted.  They were bold. In a time when Rome was oppressing the Jews, and the Jews themselves were putting strict observances on its people… the people wanted freedom.  

Peter and John had that freedom… they were choosing to ignore what so many were slaves to.

And people were noticing.  And then they were remembering…

They had been with Jesus.

This is the freedom, boldness, and victory we are called to live in.  We are called to live a life of ignorance… choosing to ignore… the lies of the enemy, the deception of this world, and the slavery that comes with sin.

But there are things we can not choose to ignore.  There are things we cannot be ignorant of.

“Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:2

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

“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.” 2 Peter 3:8

These are some of the facts that we cannot ignore.

As for those outside the faith… those who we have spoken the truth to and have heard but choose to ignore…“have compassion on the ignorant” Hebrews 5:2

And if they still choose to ignore the facts… “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 14:38

Remembering that it is the Father Who calls people to His Son.

SDG