Ignorance is not bliss

I have a saying after years of teaching the Bible. People have a right to be ignorant of the Bible and they practice that right daily.

A few years ago a Christian friend while receiving counsel from a former mentor gave me this counsel "rest in God." When they delivered this bit of wisdom it was as if they had just come down from Mount Sinai. Of course I don't disagree with rest in God but that is not the end all of the Christian life. In the last few months another Christian friend was encouraged by an older Christian to get a subsequent work of the Holy Spirit through the speaking in tongues. So put these two extraordinary pieces of Biblical insight together and you have the fullest attainment of the Christian life by resting in God as you speak in tongues. Both of these Christians were very sincere but unfortunately both of them were sincerely wrong. By this I mean wrong in making these conclusive type statements about "HOW" we are to live the Christian life. These prescriptions for Christian living come from ignorance and apathy toward the entire Bible. Do you remember the "Prayer of Jabez" era in the church? How about the 40 days to a purpose driven life?

Maybe one of the best descriptions we have, as to living the Christian life, can be summarized in Philippians 2:12-13 - "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." If we study these verses in depth in will produce in us a seeing and savoring of God that is based on His word and not on our ignorance.