When a person lacks knowledge, they live under ignorance; an example of this was Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted those who followed Christ, imprisoned them, and even consented to the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1).
However, after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he became a faithful servant of Christ Jesus, and to this day the entire world can learn from what he received from Christ Jesus.
It is the same Paul who writes in Romans 1:18-32 that people have no excuse to claim they do not know, because from the creation of the world God made all things known to mankind. But he also explains in Romans 1:28-32 what will happen to people who do not see fit to acknowledge God, and the consequences God places upon them.
In Proverbs 13:13 it is written: Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
Are we living in a time when scoffers delight in scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
For this is what the word of God says in Proverbs 1:23-27: Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make my words known to you. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when terror overtakes you—when terror overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
In Job 22:21 and 23, the word of God says: Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored.
Let us give a very clear example:
There are countries where, if a person is caught driving drunk multiple times, they lose their driver’s license forever.
Also, if a person causes an accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs resulting in death, they lose their license forever.
Furthermore, it is stated in vehicle insurance policies that if you operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, consider yourself uninsured, because the company will not cover you in the event of an accident.
Knocking down a roadside light pole or a traffic sign while under the influence of alcohol or drugs comes out of your own pocket.
This demonstrates what happens to a person who ignores and rejects the law.
So what will it be like when people do not respect and have no fear of God?
Hebrews 2:1-3 states very clearly for everyone to take into account:
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
This is not a time for people to harden their hearts and act as if it is man who is bothering them.
It is time to repent.
Pastor Marcel Balootje.