Laws are often violated by those who do not know that they are breaking a law. In these cases, a transgression is made, regardless of the offender’s knowledge of the statute. It is not uncommon for one to claim that he was unaware of the law he was breaking. Even if this is true, he still stands to be punished for his violation.
This concept is not hard to understand in our society’s legal system. Yet when it comes to God’s law, people often choose to look at it very differently. As long as they do not know that what they are doing is wrong, they are perfectly content to assume that they are doing right. They refuse to consider the fact that our sins will still condemn us. Ignorance is no more of an excuse to be used before God than it is for human authorities.
Is Ignorance Bliss?
We have heard the phrase: ignorance is bliss. The idea presumes that we are often better off not knowing about problems that might come upon us. If one is ignorant, he does not have to spend his time worrying about the problem. He does not have to work to fix or prevent it either. When it comes to violating the law (either the law of God or of man), ignorance is appealing because it prohibits guilt and does not require any act of repentance or restitution.
When it comes to God’s word, the “ignorance is bliss” idea is completely false. Notice the words of God through the prophet Hosea:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).
Destruction was coming because these people did not know the law of God. If one does not know the law, he cannot keep the law. Furthermore, he is unable to know how to keep from violating God’s law. Therefore, ignorance makes punishment by God for sin become inevitable. Paul makes a similar point in the New Testament:
“The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Paul says there are two groups of people who will face the wrath of God when the Lord returns. One group is made up of those who do not obey the gospel. This should be understandable. One who disobeys will be punished. But what of the other group? Those who do not know God will be punished. Surely they can claim ignorance, right?
Even if one can truthfully claim it, ignorance does not justify one before God. Those who wish to be saved must know God and obey Him.
This seems unfair to many people. Why will God destroy people for ignorance? This is not the right question to ask. God is not going to destroy anyone for ignorance, but He will destroy people in ignorance. Ignorance is a problem because it prevents one from obeying God and avoiding sin.
We have already noted in this study that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But God has provided the remedy for sin in His word. If we are to be saved from sin, it must be through the gospel.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
“So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘You do not want to go away also, do you?’ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life’” (John 6:68).
All who remain in sin will be punished for sin. Whether one is ignorant or not will not change the end result. Though one may have a treatable form of cancer, if he does not know he is sick or is unaware of the treatment, he will eventually die of his condition.
Replacing Ignorance with Knowledge
If we hope to overcome this stumbling block, we must first realize that ignorance is not an excuse. Instead of finding contentment in ignorance, understand that it leads to sin. Peter warns us against being “conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14).
The remedy for ignorance is knowledge – not just any knowledge, but knowledge of God’s word. As Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… Since you have forgotten the law of your God…” (Hosea 4:6). Paul tells us how to replace our ignorance with knowledge.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Some translations of this verse use the word “study,” while some do not. Regardless, it is implied in this verse. We are to be diligent in our efforts to learn how to accurately handle the word of God. This is accomplished through study.
“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).
Though many people will say that we cannot understand the Bible, Paul says we can and must understand it (cf. Ephesians 3:4). Ignorance is a threat to our souls. We should never be content with not knowing what God expects of us.
Sin will cause us to be lost. God has shown us the remedy for sin in His word. If we are to overcome sin and put it behind us, we must replace our ignorance with the knowledge of the word.
Summary
Ignorance leads to sin. You must recognize that transgressions are punished with or without knowledge of the law. Therefore, replace ignorance with knowledge of God’s word.
This material is taken from the book, The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome, published by Gospel Armory, © 2010.
