November 28: WILLFUL IGNORANCE
Do you know…?
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:37-39
Noah preached for 120 years, as he was building the ark, yet all but his immediate family were swept away in the flood. How could they refuse to come into the ark? Even though they were plainly informed of the coming destruction, they did not know until the flood came . . .
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you... Hosea 4:6a
To not know or to have a lack of knowledge is not for a lack of opportunity to be informed. The LORD is speaking here of a willful ignorance.
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 1:20-22
We are all in the process of becoming something. But what? Being yielded to Jesus allows Him to lead us away from the old man of sin (Romans 6:6) and toward His likeness. A new trajectory is set! Transformation into His likeness is a lifetime pursuit. The spiritual trajectory of your life and my life continues to be determined by choices we make as we go. The believer who walks in the Spirit—as opposed to in the flesh—grows in the spiritual knowledge of His mercy and grace. It is inevitable. The necessity of forgiving others becomes obvious. Peter had asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus is abundantly pointing out the completeness with which He extends patience and lovingkindness to each of us. Forgive your brother. And confess to the Lord when you mess up! Be sincere in repentance. If you are to forgive your brother who sins against you, would Jesus do any less? Impossible!
Whether we live out all the days ordained for us (Psalm 139:16) or come face-to-face with death before our time (Ecclesiastes 7:17), God has given us control over the trajectory of our lives. Walk with Him!
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. Psalm 17:15