Based on John 15:22-25 (New King James Version)
“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.”
Having knowledge about God can be something very good, or something that can bring problems, depending on what is done with that knowledge. The knowledge of God always implies a response, a decision; it’s not something that can be taken lightly, or more clearly, irresponsibly. And what makes the decision that is taken so crucial and important is because of the Being that is involved: God.
Many people can talk about or tell you things, and those things they say may have some importance depending on who it is. For example, a stranger on the street might give you some advice, but I don’t think you will take it seriously for many reasons; because it’s coming from a stranger, because you don’t trust that what they are saying is reliable, or that they might have a good base, and also, because they do not have any kind of authority over your life. The opinion of a stranger can have very little impact in your life. But, if your boss talks to you, the one that signs your check, that is a different story. You need to pay attention, even though you may not even like them. At the very least, you need to at least feign attention. The same happens with an authority, because it could bring about problems, if you don’t pay attention. Because if a police officer tells you to stop the vehicle, you should stop, or else, you are going to have many of his friends that will “help” you stop the vehicle; the easy way or the hard way. So then, based on something as simple as this, knowledge implies responsibility, depending on “who” it involves.
Now then, many justify their lack of faith or conviction in the Lord because they feel they need more proof on who He is. What is amazing is that they demand more proof or knowledge about Someone that really does not have more to prove (if they just pay a little bit of attention), especially considering other things they do believe in that are much more doubtful and uncertain, and that they even put their lives on these things. For example, a person gets on a plane without any problems, with not even the smallest doubt. They believe everything will be just fine. How do they know? Do they understand the science that makes a plane fly? Do they know the people that made the plane? Did they review the maintenance and repair log before boarding the plane? Do they know if the people in charge of flying the plane are in their right minds or healthy enough to do their work? There are so many things that can go wrong, but there isn’t a single question, not a single doubt, and they expose their life and the lives of those they love to fly at 30,000 feet (more than 9,000 meters) above the surface of the earth in this thing they know nothing about.
Let’s see other things like illegal drug use. According to Statista, the number of people in the United States that have used illegal drugs in their lifetimes since 2017 is estimated to be more than 238 million people, this includes the use of marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, and methamphetamines. And I ask myself, out of all of those millions of people, those folks that tried them, or are still using them regularly, “Do they think about where the stuff comes from that they are so confidently putting into their bodies? Do they know the health standards that were used by the drug producers to make these? Do they know exactly what they are putting into their bodies? How can you trust something that you get from a guy (a stranger) that is standing on a corner somewhere? They don’t doubt something like that, but they dare to doubt God? They put something into their bodies that they have no idea what it is or where it came from, nor what it’s going to do to them, and even more so, knowing that it is something illegal or wrong, but they demand more proof just to give God an opportunity? Where is the logic? Where is the great intellectual evolution of our society? And of course, there are many other things people expose themselves to without the slightest doubt, but yet, it’s hard for them to believe in God. The great scientists prefer to think that they come from a cosmic explosion and from the evolution of monkeys than to have at least some sort of dignity that a Supreme Being made everything, including man. Are you understanding the point?
And together with all of this, the great majority of people believe in the illusion that they have complete control over their lives, that they know what they are doing. I say it is an illusion because no human being knows what will happen to them in the next five minutes, least of all, be able to control everything that happens around them. It’s impossible! Let’s prove it! Do we have control over the planet, over its rotation, its gravity, or over its nature? Can we control an earthquake? Can we stop a tsunami? When was the last time they stopped a tornado? The victims (including the rich) that were in the twin towers in New York on 9/11, were they able to stop their deaths (and I say this with much pain), that the only escape that many had left to avoid the flames was to jump off the buildings? Can man trust their illusion of control and take tomorrow for granted? For it is written: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14.
Now then, the knowledge of God carries great responsibility, for it is written: “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. So, it should not be taken lightly, but rather, it must be taken quite seriously. For the Word of God also teaches this: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36.
When God speaks, you need to listen and listen well, and make the decision that the situation merits, or else, nothing good is waiting for those that refuse to believe in Christ. God is love, and that is why He gives a free-will opportunity. But if that opportunity is rejected, what else is left? But when a Being like that calls you, it’s in your best interest not just to listen, but to follow Him closely. Think about Who it’s about and your uncertain reality! Do you understand the responsibility that comes with the knowledge of the Truth of God? Lord bless! John