Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

In recent years, the electronic church has come into its own. In most major metropolitan areas and in those areas which have cable television service, a religious broadcasting channel is available to many television viewers. Occasionally, I have watched such programs as the 700 Club and PTL. Though I have not watched one of these programs in a good while, I suspect that I can describe what today’s program was like.

After coming on the air, some music was presented which would rival any country-western or easy-listening program on the air. After that, some personality was introduced who came on the air to give his testimony. His testimony probably related what an awful state his life was in before he found the Lord. He might have described how he was on the verge of bankruptcy, his marriage was on the rocks, his childrens’ lives were in shambles, he was on pills to cope with his problems, and perhaps even his health was failing. Then, he found the Lord. [Of course, the people on these programs never “find the Lord” in quite the same manner as did those on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8:5-13), the Ethiopian nobleman (Acts 8:26-40), Saul (Acts 9, 22, 26), Cornelius (Acts 10), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:25-34), or the Corinthians (Acts 18:8). Each of these Bible cases of conversion relate how a person heard the gospel preached, believed it, repented of his sins, confessed his faith in Christ, and was baptized for the remission of his sins. The guests of the 700 Club and the PTL program generally related praying the “sinner’s prayer,” calling upon the name of the Lord, having some kind of experience, or some other means of “finding the Lord” (as if the Lord was lost!).]

When these guests “found the Lord,” everything in their lives turned around. Many have related how some fantastic business deal came their way immediately after being saved, their troubled marriages changed into a haven of bliss, their children became straight “A” students and were the epitome of righteousness, they threw away their pills, and frequently related how their sick bodies have experienced a “miracle” of healing.

The message which these programs are communicating to the world is false. They are communicating these false ideas: (1) Turning to the Lord will deliver a person from every kind of problem; (2) A person who is a Christian does not live in the valley, but on the mountain top; (3) Piety pays, perversity punishes.

Could Job Appear On PTV

As I have watched several of these programs aired by the 700 Club and PTL, I have asked myself, “I wonder if Job would be allowed to give his testimony on PTL?” Can you imagine the cameras zooming in on Job as he is sitting in the city dump with a potsherd in his hand scraping off the oozing pus? The microphone is handed to him and he says, “I have been a perfect and upright man who has feared the Lord and eschewed evil (Job 1:1) for many years. Things used to go well for me. I was very prosperous. I had seven godly sons, three daughters, a lovely wife and good health. I gave thanks to God regularly for the bounty of His blessings toward me and even offered sacrifice to God just in case one of us might have sinned. Then, one day the bottom fell out of everything. The Sabeans raided our land and stole my oxen and asses. Fire from the Lord burned up my sheep and the servants who were watching them. The Chaldeans invaded the land, stole my camels and killed my servants who were watching them. A great wind, perhaps a tornado, struck the house in which all of my children were and all of them were killed in an instant. Just a little later, this horrible disease afflicted me. As a result of this, my skin itches terribly (2:8); my skin is cracked and worms are in it (7:5). I have foul breath (19:17) which makes me offensive even to my wife. My skin has darkened (30:30). I ache in all of my limbs (30:17, 30). I have restless nights because I cannot sleep (7:4, 13-15).1 am a social outcast, avoided by all of my former friends (19:13-19). On top of this, my wife recently encouraged me to `curse God and die.’ Close friends came to visit me and repeatedly have accused me of being a great sinner. Nevertheless, I love the Lord and am resolved to, persevere in my faith.” With that the camera moves away, giving a panoramic view of Job sitting in the garbage dump.

Why does PTL and the 700 Club never have any guests like this on their program? The reason seems obvious: this is not the message which they desire to communicate. This raises the questions, “What message are these programs trying to communicate?” and “is their message true to the word of God?”

In answer to the first question, “What message are these programs trying to communicate?”, I think that an accurate assessment would be: Turning to the Lord will deliver a person from every sort of problem – from the guilt of sin, from sickness, from financial woe, from family problems, etc. The message which is also communicated is that turning to the Lord enables one to have a positive, mental attitude. Every one of the men on the program have a spirit filled with the positive, mental attitude approach to life. Though this is not intended to say that Christianity demands negative mental attitude, one should be objective enough to know that one cannot live on the mountain tops all of the time, which is the impression left by these programs.

Their Message Is Not True To The Book

The gospel of PTL and the 700 Club is not a true gospel in many respects, beginning with what it teaches that a person must do to, be saved. Here are some other things to which we must object:

1. “If one is not on the mountain top, he is not saved.” This message may not ever be directly expressed in words, but the implication is that one is not right with God if he is not floating around on cloud nine. One of the reasons some Christians do not have an assurance of salvation is the effect which these programs are having on their thinking. One is told, “I feel so good because I am saved.” Here is a man who does not feel so good so he questions, “Am I saved?”

Brethren, life is not just one mountain peak after another. There are valleys in between. Sometimes one manifests a greater degree of faith when he is walking in the “valley of the shadow of death” than when he is on the mountain tops. Learning how to be abased is sometimes more difficult than learning how to abound (Phil. 4:12).

2. “Piety pays, perversity punishes. ” The book of Job wrestles with the problem of evil throughout the book. Though Job was a righteous man, his friends accused him of being a great sinner because they accepted this philosophy: “The ungodly suffer and the righteous prosper.” Since they saw Job suffering, they concluded and charged that he was a great sinner. Zophar told Job that prosperity would come to him and he would forget his sufferings, if he would repent and turn to God (Job 11:13-19). This is basically the message of the 700 Club and PTL. When one comes to God, he will enjoy prosperity and all of the good blessings which this life has to offer. It is the message of Oral Roberts and most other faith healers.

The book of Job is designed to prove that this message is a false message. The truth of the matter is that the righteous sometimes are called upon to suffer. When Jesus endured the agonies of Calvary, He was still a righteous man; He had no sin from which to turn, yet He suffered. The godly, apostle Paul suffered many things for the sake of Christ (2 Cor. 11:23-28) and preached that all who live godly will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Hence, the philosophy which underlies the 700 Club and PTL is false to its core.

Conclusion

We simply must come to understand that prosperity does not always come to the righteous and suffering is not a proof of ungodliness. Those who are faithful Christians will go through the valleys and shadows even as they may enjoy the mountain tops. Furthermore, Christians are not exempt from the time and chance which happen to us all. Although we might wish it were otherwise, we must understand that time and chance are a part of temporal existence. The wise man wrote,

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them (Eccl. 9:11-12).

We may never even understand why some things happen to us. The wise man continued:

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it (Eccl. 8:16-17).

We do not and cannot understand all of the considerations which God takes into view in His providential government of the world. Though we wish that we could know, we cannot know; like Job, we must trust Him despite the fact that we must cope with things which we do not understand. Though Job could not be invited to be a guest on the 700 Club and PTL, I expect to see him in heaven.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 13, pp. 386, 388-389
July 7, 1983

By Tom M. Roberts

While walking across a field out in the country near Purcell, Oklahoma, with one of the elders of the church while in a meeting in that city, I noticed the terrible effects that erosion of the soil was causing to some pasture land. Across the middle of a large pasture, long gullies and deep cuts were found where the grass was totally gone and the bright, red clay so prevalent north of the beautiful Arbuckle Mountain range glared back at us where the cows had once grazed. And, it was evident, the erosion was not finished. Nothing was being done by the owner of the land to retard the progress of the spreading red gullies and lost topsoil. Native grasses cannot grow in the hard clay banks of gullies, so the wind and rain continue their relentless assaults on the pasture and the value continues to dwindle.

I could not help but compare the loss of that valuable land through erosion to some dear friends and brothers in Christ (as well as churches) who, through spiritual erosion, are losing their faith., In one case the vicissitudes of nature are at work on unprotected soil; on the other, the troubles and problems of life are eating away at the soul.

Eroded land can be easily seen. The sharp contrast between the green grass, the flowers of the field and the deep ocher of the gullies can scarcely go unnoticed, even from afar. But erosion of faith is more subtle and, while the Bible describes faith erosion in great detail, many fail to see it because it is visible only to the spiritual eye, not to the physical. We are not saying that spiritual erosion cannot be seen. It is, simply, that people don’t watch out for it like they do gullies in the land. But while lost topsoil contributes to a loss of retail value in land, the loss of faith often does irreparable harm to the soul.

Causes of Erosion

You know, it doesn’t take a nuclear blast to start erosion. Alone cow, walking regularly to water, often leaves a trail where the water begins to follow. Harsh winds blow the dust from the tracks. The gentle rains start a trickle and the driving storms increase the flow. Little by little, day after day, the cycles of nature add a cumulative effect that starts the soil to wash. Because the process is so slow and insignificant, one does not notice what is going on until, one day, if the farmer is fortunate, he takes inventory of the land and realizes what is taking place. With little effort, in the early stages, soil erosion can be stopped. Later, it may take a large government grant and a soil conservation expert to arrive at a solution. But erosion starts so imperceptibly that its after-effects are out of all proportion. (Did the Grand Canyon begin with a deer track leading to water?) Daily familiarity discourages objectivity and many do not see the problem until it is too late.

Isn’t the spiritual application all too obvious? Isn’t this often the course of a fall from grace? Folks, it doesn’t take a bombshell. to destroy faith if faith is left unattended and unguarded. Faith is not an absolute in our life that once attained will never change or diminish. It must constantly be attended, nourished, strengthened .and “added to” (2 Pet. 1:5, “add to your faith, virtue . . .”). We increase our faith by regularly reading God’s word (Rom. 10:17) and meditating on it (Psalms I) so that the roots of our faith reach to the Living Water and are sustained. Without this constant tending and increasing of faith, the vicissitudes of life will eat away at our foundations until faith is gone and we know not when it happened. Such has been the case on many sad occasions when Christians leave the Lord and fall back into the world. What has happened? Their faith has eroded. When did it happen? Who can tell? It did not happen at one dramatic moment, like the clap of thunder. Such occurring can not be marked on a calendar as not being a reality one day and an actuality the next. But erosion of faith is no less true because it is not easily observed. It may have started simply in the failure to read the Bible, the failure to worship, the failure to be with the saints in fellowship, or the failure to pray. By the time one “quits the church” the damage has been done. In fact, it seems that many Christians continue to “attend church” long after faith is gone. Hardly a preacher or elder will disagree with that! Many folks in the pew are there in body only, their faith being long gone.

“For who bath despised the day of the small things’? (Zech. 4:10). “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth” (James 3:4). Though our faith be great, we must not allow the little grinding effects of life to wear away at it without replenishing from its source. It has been said that the Chinese invented a form of torture whereby a man is driven mad by a drop of water falling upon his forehead hour upon hour, without stop. While we might like to think that if, put to the test of “deny Christ and live,” we would accept death rather than deny our Lord, few will ever face such a test. What all of us face is the daily wear arid grind of worldly pressures, temptations to do evil, disappointments and discouragements. The bills get out of hand and we grow weary. The children give us problems and it never seems to stop. The church has problems and brethren treat us unreasonably. We have sickness and our loved ones die. From all sides and on every day, the incessant drip . . . drip . . . drip of problems eats away at our faith. Which is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back or the drop of water that finally starts the flood that sweeps away our faith? No one can tell, but a lack of perception does not deny the tragedy of a fall from God’s grace.

What To Do About It?

Once a brother or sister quits the Lord, it is all too obvious what has taken place. Then, after damage too extensive to be corrected has taken place, a family member or a fellow saint tries in vain to get the fallen to “come back to church,” as though that is the problem. But lack of faith is the problem; the other is but a symptom. And, while it is true that each one of us has the ultimate responsibility to see to our own needs (for we shall have to give answer for our own soul), it is also true that it is easier to build faith from even a glowing ember than to ignite a dead coal. We need help before we lose faith; we should help others before faith dies. It is easier to stop erosion than to rebuild a damaged field. But how, how do we keep faith from eroding?

Friend, there can be no short-cut to the first step; no substitution or viable alternative. The first thing to realize is that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). We have read that so much and yet we don’t believe it. Yet God’s word is the foundation for true faith and nothing else will do. All the positive attitude books in the world will not help in the absence of the Book. Mental health tapes are valueless if the word of God is allowed to gather dust on a shelf. Read your Bibles!

Further, turn off the world on different occasions and worship God. Worship does not just do God “good,” or glorify Him. He will be no less God if none of us worship Him. We need to worship God for the good it does us. Worship restores our soul. It builds our faith. It strengthens our spirits. Find time to worship.

Associate with other saints. True, “we must needs go out of the world” (1 Cor. 5:10) to avoid contacts with worldly people. But we must learn to choose friends who can help us be faithful and not contribute to a loss of faith. Visit and be close to other Christians.

Do good deeds for others. It is not without reason that Jesus predicated greatness in His kingdom upon service. Show me the Christian who thinks and works for the good of others and I will show you a person full of faith. Selfishness and laziness will destroy faith. Visit the sick, the widows, the fatherless. Do good to others. Be busy for the Lord. Pass out tracts in your neighborhood (have you ever done this?). Visit and talk with a weak brother or sister who needs a friend. Read good material that discusses the Bible. Teach a class. Have a Bible study in your home (have you ever done this?). These, and countless other things, contribute to a constant repair before erosion of the soil, even so must the Christian stay busy in such things to avoid erosion of the soul.

Take a walk through the pastures of your faith. Is the Lord your shepherd? Do you lie down in green pastures and walk beside the still waters? Is the Lord restoring your soul (Psalms 23)? Or do you find there the rivulets of erosion that can become the raging torrent that will sweep away your faith. Let us learn ever to watch and do these things that build us up in the most holy faith.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 13, pp. 385, 406-407
July 7, 1983

By 

The Apostle Paul addressed his Galatian epistle to “the churches of Galatia,” suggesting a plurality of congregations in that Roman province. These congregations existed as a result of his own efforts on his second preaching tour (Acts 16:6); on his third trip Paul “went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23).

Not so very long after this second visit, Paul wrote the Galatian epistle to deal with problems which had been found in the midst of the Galatian Christians, especially the problem of the Judaizing teachers. The seriousness of this problem can be better realized when we learn that they had removed themselves from God, had fallen from God’s grace (Gal. 1:5; 5:4). The short statement of Galatians 5:7, serves a two-fold purpose: it reveals, by contrast, their condition as Christians before the problems entered and it reveals their condition after the problems had taken their toll.

“Ye Did Run Well”

The word “run” is “a metaphor taken from the runners in a race, to exert one’s self, strive hard; to spend one’s strength in performing or attaining something; Rom. 9:16; Gal. 5:7” (Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon on trecho). The adverb “well” is also defined by Thayer as “excellently, nobly, commendably; 1 Cor. 14:17; Gal. 5:7.”

From these definitions, we can understand that the Galatian Christians had been striving in a commendable way, they were exerting themselves in an excellent fashion, they had been spending their strength in a noble way, and they, no doubt, were pleasing to God while thus serving. I do not believe it would be an exaggeration to say that all Christians could be described in this way, at some time or other in our past. We were, then, serving nobly; we were performing in a commendable fashion, we were truly striving to please our God. The question that follows reveals their present condition.

“Who Did Hinder You That Ye Should Not Obey The Truth?”

They were not now obeying God’s Truth. They could not now be described as serving nobly; they could not be complimented for an excellent job, or for a commendable life. Some one was their excuse for not obeying the Truth. Vine defines the word “hinder” (enkopto) as follows: “… used of impeding persons by breaking up the road, or by placing an obstacle sharply in the , path; hence metaphorically – of hindering progress in the Christian life, Gal. 5:7, where the significance virtually is `who broke up the road along which you were traveling so well?’ ” Please notice that it makes no difference who it was that hindered them; they were still in a lost condition (Gal. 1:5; 5:4). How many of us find ourselves in this condition? We begin with enthusiasm, determination and dedication. We “run well” for a season!

A Practical Application

Who hinders us: That we do not attend all the services we can? That we do not give of our means as we should? That we do not work to lead others to Christ? That we do not make our home what the truth demands? When we fail to avoid the evils of the world as the truth directs? And, when we fail to grow as a Christian should?

We Can Control The Situation

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5). We are told to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10). Also, we are told to bring our lives into harmony with the Gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27). Let each of us develop a sense of priorities (Mt. 6:33), and a proper sense of values (Mk. 8:36). Dear reader, who hinders you that you do not obey the truth? Remember, regardless of who (or what) it is, your soul is purified only in obeying the truth (1 Pet. 1:22). Inspiration says that they who do not obey the truth are foolish; “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Gal. 3:1).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 12, p. 376
June 16, 1983

By Russell H. Dunaway

Perhaps one of the most controversial issues among brethren today is that which arises concerning the child of God and his sins of ignorance. Some brethren teach that if a child of God sins through ignorance, that sin of ignorance will not separate him from God; rather, this sin of ignorance will be cleansed with the blood of Christ unconditionally. In this lesson, we shall see that this is simply not taught in the Bible. Throughout the history of God’s dealings with man, provisions for a sin committed in ignorance have been made, but these provisions were conditional.

Sins Of Ignorance Under The Law Of Moses

As one studies the law of Moses, he will learn in Leviticus 4 that it was possible for a man to sin through ignorance under the law of Moses. If you will take the time to read Leviticus 4 in its entirety, you will learn that it was possible for the priest to sin through ignorance (v. 2); that it was possible for the whole congregation to sin through ignorance (v. 13); that it was possible for the rulers to sin through ignorance (v. 22); and that it was possible for the common man to sin through ignorance (v. 27). But, as you read this chapter you will also learn there were provisions made in the law for the sins these people committed in ignorance. God had provided for an atonement to be made for their sins of ignorance, but only after they had learned of the sin and only as the conditions were met (notice vv. 3, 14, 23, 28). The provisions for the sins of ignorance committed under the law of Moses were conditional.

In Leviticus 5:17, 18, we learn that not only was it possible for a person to sin through ignorance, but also that these sins of ignorance brought with them guilt (v. 17). Thus, the sins of ignorance committed under the law of Moses separated sinners from God. This is consistent with other passages found in the Old Testament dealing with sin such as in Isaiah 59:1, 2 or Ezekiel 18:4, 20. God said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Leviticus 5:17 teaches that this is just as true of a sin committed through ignorance as it is of any other sin; “though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” Verse 18 goes on to teach that sins committed through ignorance could be forgiven, but only as the conditions were met. It does not teach that sins of ignorance were unconditionally forgiven. Provisions were made, but they did not provide for an unconditional forgiveness.

As you study further in the law of Moses, there were provisions made for the sins of ignorance, but you will also see that there were no provisions made for the man that had sinned presumptuously (Num. 15:22-31). Even in this passage, however, the provisions that God made for the sins committed in ignorance were conditional. As long as a man had not met the conditions for forgiveness of a sin committed in ignorance, he was guilty of that sin.

In Ezekiel 18, we learn that “the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die” (Ezek. 18:20, 21). Again we see that a man is guilty of his sins (whether committed in ignorance or not) and that he shall bear the iniquity of those sins, unless he meets the conditions that God has given. He is a sinner and must seek forgiveness on God’s terms.

It is quite common for those who teach an unconditional cleansing of the sins which a child of God commits in ignorance to refer to Psalms 19:12 where David said, “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” Therefore, let us look at this passage and see if it teaches an unconditional forgiveness of sins of ignorance. In the first place, let us consider, “Who can understand his errors?” Is David here teaching that we cannot understand what our sins are? Of course not! Sin is defined by John as “transgression of the law.” Thus, if a man could not understand what his sins were, he could not understand what the law of God is. Paul said that we could understand God’s law when we read it (Eph. 3:3-5). Thus, David could not be saying that it is impossible for a man to understand what his sins were, for we can understand that, if we will read the word of God and study it. The word of God gives warning to the servant of God and he receives the reward for keeping the word of God (Psa. 19:11). I suggest to you that David is here saying the same thing that Solomon said in Proverbs 16:2, i.e., “every man’s way is clean in his own eyes.” We have the tendency to say, “I am satisfied with my life,” but those who say that are confused about the whole matter. The question is not, “Am I satisfied,” but “Is God satisfied?” Man has a tendency to think in terms of his own reasoning and understanding and thus, by my own understanding, it is not possible for me to understand my errors. But I can understand my errors by looking into the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25; Jer. 10:23). This is what David is saying in Psalm 19. No man, in and of himself can understand his errors. We must rely upon the word of God (vv. 7-11), rather than on human wisdom.

In the second place, when David said, “cleanse me from secret faults,” of what was he speaking? Was he speaking of sins committed through ignorance? Well, that certainly is one opinion! But, that is not the only opinion. It could be argued as well that the secret faults of Psalm 19:12 are those faults of which other people were not aware. The whole argument made from Psalm 19 is based upon an opinion of what is said, rather than the fact of what is said. It begins with an assumption, and thus, if the assumption is false, then the conclusion that follows from that assumption would also be false.

However, let us assume that David is speaking of sins that he has committed of which he is unaware. Would this mean that David was asking for an unconditional forgiveness of his sins of ignorance? Not at all! The whole point that David makes in Psalm 19 is that the word of the Lord reveals the will of the Lord, and that as we study and learn the will of the Lord, we can keep His will and be rewarded when this life is over. Nature reveals the existence of God (Psa. 19:1-6). The word of God reveals the will of God (Psa. 19:7-11). Keeping the will of God secures the reward of God (v. 11). Thus, David is not here asking for an unconditional forgiveness (i.e., forgiveness without the appropriate sacrifices) of sins of ignorance; rather, he is asking for the ability to learn of his sins, so that he can turn from them, keep God’s will, and receive the reward. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:5, “And if a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.” David had to learn the rules and abide by them to receive the prize, the reward.

Jesus’ Teaching On The Sins of Ignorance

In Luke 12:47, 48 Jesus makes a distinction in the punishment of the man who sins against his knowledge, and the man who sins in ignorance. The man who sins against his knowledge will be “beaten with many stripes,” while the man who sins through ignorance will be beaten with “few stripes.” It should be observed that the man who sinned through ignorance was still accountable for his sins. He was punished for them; he did receive stripes, though they were few stripes. Thus, ignorance does not excuse a man from the responsibility for his sins. Jesus taught that the man who sinned in ignorance, “though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and he shall bear his iniquity.”

Sins Of Ignorance and the Crucifixion of Christ

Concerning those who crucified Christ, Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:47). Peter acknowledged in Acts 3:17 that Jesus was crucified because of ignorance, but in Acts 2:38 he also commanded them to “repent and be baptized every one of you.” Jesus prayed that they would be forgiven, and that prayer was answered only as they met the conditions that God gave. Sins of ignorance are forgiven only as the conditions are met.

Sins of Ignorance and The Israelites In Paul’s Day

In Romans 10:1-3 we learn that the Israelites of Paul’s day were zealous, but they were ignorant of God’s righteousness (the gospel – Rom. 1:17). Thus, they set out to establish their own righteousness. Theirs was a sin of ignorance, yet, they were lost and in need of salvation. Yet, Paul went on to teach that they could be saved if they met all of the conditions that God gave them (Rom. 10:9, 10).

Sins Of Ignorance And The Works Of The Flesh

In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul gives a listing of some of the works of the flesh, and he states that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” If you will notice the first of these sins of the flesh, you will see that it is “adultery.” There are some people who are members of the body of Christ and yet are engaged in an adulterous relationship (perhaps it is an unscriptural marriage relationship). Sometimes this baptized believer is ignorant of there being anything wrong with his unscriptural marriage relationship, and so, he continues to be united with a woman that he is unscripturally married to, thinking that there is nothing wrong with it (some preachers take the position that baptism will somehow wash away the first marriage of the person involved in a second unscriptural marriage relationship). Does this man have any grounds on which to hope for a home in heaven when this life is over? Will God automatically cover his sin of ignorance with the blood of Christ until he learns better? The Apostle said that it was not possible for such a person to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Ignorance will not change the law of God, and the violation of the law of God will not go unpunished because of ignorance (Heb. 2:2). This is true of adultery, of fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, etc. The only way that we can read in the Bible for a man to be forgiven of his sins of ignorance is for him to repent and turn from them, confessing them to the Lord and asking forgiveness of them. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Cor. 6:9).

Sins Of Ignorance And 1 John 1

In 1 John 1:5, John said, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” Whenever a Christian sins through ignorance, is that sin in the light, or is it in darkness? John said that it was in darkness, for there is no sin in God. John went on to say, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Whenever a child of God sins, even if he sins through ignorance, he is in darkness. If he is in darkness, he is not in fellowship with God. Thus, the only way that he can have fellowship with God is to get back into the light (v. 6). How does a man get from darkness to light? John tells us in verse 9. He said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We enter fellowship with God when we obey the gospel; we continue in fellowship with God as we walk in the light. We depart from fellowship with God when we sin. We re-enter fellowship with God when we turn from our sins and ask God to forgive us of them. Thus it is that Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The only way that one can read in the Bible by which the sins of a child of God are forgiven, including those committed in ignorance, is to learn of them, turn from them, and seek forgiveness on God’s terms. He must meet the conditions that God has given. Not one passage in the Bible teaches that God forgives sins of ignorance unconditionally!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 12, pp. 372-373
June 16, 1983