Knowledge

The Baptist Beacon

KNOWLEDGE

By: Bradley Foster

Indianapolis, IN

Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing that thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Lack of knowledge is called ignorance. I believe that ignorance is a disease that is destroying our children and our churches. The sad thing about this is that there is no excuse for ignorance. In this country and all over the world Bibles and sound literature are at our every disposal.

"We have become content and lazy about our progress and it is reflecting in our churches."

Our children reach the ages of adulthood and have no clue about what it is to be a disciple of Christ. They are not prepared to win the souls of men. If you have ever encountered people of other religious ideals, you will soon realize that they are equipped for battle. We need to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.

This all seems quite elementary, yet we fail to observe what God has commanded us to do. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Jesus has promised us that he will be with us always under a condition: That we teach them all things he has commanded us.

It cannot be emphasized enough the parent's roll in educating their children. It is their first responsibility to see to it that they are taught at home.

Secondly, it is the church's responsibility to exhaust every effort to teach and secure their vulnerable minds. We send our children to school for about 40 hours per week where they retain very little of what they learn. Do we honestly expect to send our children to Sunday School for 1 hour per week and believe that this is sufficient? I cannot help but believe that this amount of time is inadequate to the amount of time and attention all of our minds need for the Word of God.

I encourage every church to set aside a time or even a class where you can instruct your new converts in all aspects of the Baptist beliefs. This will secure a greater hope for the future and hopefully produce fruit an hundred fold. In Ephesians Paul teaches that we need to grow into mature Christians, and declares that we be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine. Our children are our greatest assets. If we neglect them, we are neglecting the future or our churches, and also the Word of God.

"Knowledge leads to freedom, and ignorance leads to bondage. It was the very knowledge of Christ that led you to repent and be saved."

Proverbs 3:13-18 says, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her."