"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Here Paul makes an interesting statement. He implies strongly that ignorance breeds hopelessness. All through God's Word we are told that we are to increase and grow in knowledge. In Colossians chapter one Paul writes that he wants the believers to increase in knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom are good, but knowledge and wisdom must increase. Without the increase of knowledge, there is complacency and a tendency to feel that all knowledge worth attaining has already been attained.
Years ago I purchased my first computer. It was an Atari 800. I was very well pleased with this computer because it had twice the memory of my brother-in-law's Atari 400. It did not have a hard drive but had a cassette tape as the storage device. At that time I had about 150 people on my mailing list. I remember one day sorting my mailing list by zip code. I was so happy. It only took the computer 45 minutes. I could have done it by hand just as fast!
Today my mailing list has grown to many thousands of families and to sort them by zip code takes less than one second. Why is there such a dramatic change in the speed of the computer systems from fifteen years ago? It's because knowledge has increased.
As knowledge increases we are able to work smarter and faster. We can accomplish more in a shorter time. We can be more productive with less work. Knowledge is a great advantage in the world. Likewise in the realm of the spirit, knowledge is power.
Jesus said if we would continue in His Word, we would know the truth and then as a result of knowing the truth, we would be set free. Knowledge will set you free from the bondage of ignorance. Knowledge will allow you to move into areas of deliverance that would be unattainable otherwise. In Hosea 4:6 God said, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge."
God's Word is true and this message is very clear. We must gain knowledge of God, His plan and His purposes and then through obedience act on what we have learned.
Positive action on the truth of God will bring freedom and deliverance. Acting in ignorance without direction, even when done with the right intentions, usually ends in defeat. With the knowledge of God we have hope.
Devotion 0383