A famous management consultant said, “If you think training is expensive, try ignorance.” We prefer a company that does home service for car batteries; their customer-care is a game-changer. We likewise know of a reliable mechanic whom we call whenever we have car trouble; he provides home service. Because of his knowledge and experience, he is skilled at what he does.
A premium is placed on self-development to advance one’s career. An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.1 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.2 More so, must we not give more importance and careful thought to the question of our eternal life?
God warns, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.3 Ignorance is no bliss! We cannot rely on hearsay, opinion, nor third-party-source for our salvation. We need to seek truth for ourselves. Be like the Bereans who examined the Scriptures daily to see if what they were being told was true.4 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.5
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.6 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.7
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?8 I appeal to you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.9
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction that through endurance and through the encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.10
May we make ready for the Lord a people prepared.11 AMEN!
Notes
1. Proverbs 18:15
2. Proverbs 4:7 [NIV]
3. Hosea 4:6
4. Acts 17:11
5. 1 Timothy 2:3-5
6. 2 Peter 3:17-18
7. John 17:3
8. Galatians 4:8-9
9. Romans 12:1-2
10. Romans 15:4-6
11. Luke 1:17
