Two passages of Scripture were at the forefront of our discussion:

1) Romans 13:1-7.

2) Acts 5:22-32 (particularly Acts 5:29).

Romans 13 demonstrates that generally speaking, Christians are to obey the laws of the land. This might be troubling to some, since it means that even those laws that most people ignore such as speed limits and Stop signs are to be obeyed!

Acts 5:22-32 gives a principle that must be kept in mind, however. If the governing authorities pass laws that violate God’s laws then Christians are to obey God! The government has not been authorized by God to pass laws that are opposed to Him. Likewise Christians are not authorized to disobey God in order to obey civil law.

Perhaps this summary statement will help: Christians are obligated to obey the laws of the land unless those laws violate God’s laws. If a conflict exists, God (not government) is to be obeyed.

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P.S.: We are grateful to live in a state and nation where Christians still have freedom of religion. We hope that this will continue to be the case. Nonetheless, if government ever forces Christians to choose between government or God the Biblical expectation is to obey God rather than men.

Is it a good thing to be ignorant of the Gospel? Will ignorance excuse sin? The purpose of this study is to understand that when it comes to spiritual matters, ignorance is NOT bliss.

Ignorance Does Not Excuse Sin.

• In Leviticus 4:13-21 we learn that ignorance did not excuse sin committed by the whole congregation of Israel.
• In Leviticus 4:22-26 we learn that ignorance did not excuse sin committed by a ruler in Israel.
• In Leviticus 4:27-35 we learn that ignorance did not excuse sin committed by an ordinary individual Israelite.
• Why would we possibly think that ignorance excuses sin today?

Ignorance Does Not Save

• John 3:16 says that belief in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation. We cannot believe in Jesus Christ if we are ignorant of Him.
• Mark 16:16, The Great Commission, teaches the necessity of believing the Gospel and being baptized. This cannot be done if one is ignorant of the Gospel.
• Matthew 28:19, another account of The Great Commission, demonstrates that people were to be taught so they could become disciples. One cannot become a disciple if he is ignorant of the message.

Ignorance Will Not Produce Faith (Romans 10:14-21)

• You cannot call on somebody you do not believe.
• You cannot believe in somebody you’ve never heard of.
• You can’t hear without a preacher (somebody communicating the message).
• Faith comes by hearing, not by ignorance. Ignorance cannot produce faith.

Sin is the Problem

• If ignorance saved, then the worst thing we could do is preach and teach the Gospel.
• The Gospel is not the problem. Sin is the problem. It separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-4), its wages are death (Romans 6:23) and those who die outside of Christ will be separated from Him eternally (Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:21-23).
• The Gospel needs to be taught so that ignorance can be overcome and sin can be escaped (John 14:1-6; Hebrews 5:9, John 15:14).

If ignorance could save then God, in His love, would not require that the Gospel be proclaimed. Since God commanded that the Gospel be taught we are forced to the conclusion that the Gospel must be heard and obeyed for man to escape from sin through Jesus Christ.

Have you obeyed the Gospel? It is done by hearing the word (Romans 10:17), believing it (Mark 16:16), repenting of your sins (Acts 2:38, Luke 13:3), confessing the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37, Matthew 16:16), being immersed in water (baptized) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21) and being faithful to God unto death (1 John 1, Revelation 2:10).

I.    GOD SPOKE TO CREATE
A.    Every time “God said” it was done.
1.    Genesis 1:3; 6; 9; 11; 14.
2.    Genesis 1:20f; 24; 26, 29.

B.    The elements function according to God’s design.
1.    Animals and plants still produce according to their own kind (Gen. 1:11, 1:21, 24)
2.    There is still night and day (Gen. 1:5).
3.    Etc. The point is, God knew what He was doing and He had the power to command.

C.    The elements were authorized by God and they obey God.
1.    Colossians 1:17.
2.    Consider Matthew 8:27.

II.    GOD SPOKE CONCERNING MARRIAGE
A.    God knew Adam needed a companion (Genesis 2:18).
B.    God made sure that Adam knew it (Genesis 2:19-20).
C.    God created marriage (Genesis 2:21-25).
1.    God authorized the union of one man and one woman as marriage.
2.    In the New Testament Jesus made it clear that this same definition is binding in the New Testament age (Matt. 19:4-9).

 
III.    GOD SPOKE CONCERNING OBEDIENCE
A.    He gave specific instruction (Genesis 2:15-17).
B.    Disobedience was not authorized by God.
C.    Sin ruins things.
1.    Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden.
2.    Life got more difficult.
3.    Blame entered the world.
4.    Death entered the world.
5.    Sin still ruins things (Isaiah 59:1-2, Romans 6:23).

Conclusion:
1.    When God speaks it is our duty to obey Him.
2.    God spoke to creation, and the creation obeys.
3.    Going beyond what God authorizes is disobedience.
4.    Disobedience is sin, and sin separates man from God.
5.    God has authorized salvation through Jesus Christ; have you obeyed?
a. Hear: Romans 10:17.
b. Believe: Mark 16:16.
c. Repent: Luke 13:3.
d. Confess: Acts 8:37, Matthew 16:16.
e. Be immersed for the remission of sins: (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 6:1-4)
f. Be faithful unto death (1 John 1:6-7, Revelation 2:10)

Before jumping to that conclusion a few things ought to be considered.

It seems to me that it is more accurate to say that God’s will was accomplished in spite of this mess created by Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Esau instead of it happening because of it. Before Jacob and Esau were born God declared that the older would serve the younger. No amount of effort to resist this would stop it from happening. Esau did not have the birthright, he sold it to his brother Jacob. Thus it can be argued that Esau was not worthy of a blessing that would give him rule over his brother; yet Isaac was attempting to give him such a blessing (see Genesis 27:29).

Humans are often used by God in the Bible to accomplish His will. Yet, humans are not perfect. God can assure that His will is accomplished in spite of the unrighteous acts of men. That does not at all make God evil nor constitute an endorsement from God of the unrighteous acts men commit.

Nowhere in Genesis 27 does the Bible suggest that God commanded the lying and deceit. We also do not find any language in Genesis 27 that tells us God approved of it. There are many actions recorded in the Bible of which God does not approve. Sometimes those actions are even performed by people who were otherwise righteous and pleasing to God.

Since God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and since Satan is described as the father of lies (John 8:44) it follows that God would not, did not and does not endorse lying. To do so would be contrary to His very nature.

Consider a sampling of what you have already read:

Sunday (Genesis 1-3): You read about Creation, Adam and Eve and the ugliness of sin. When Eve and Adam sinned they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Sin separates man from God. In Genesis 3:15 you read the first Bible prophecy about Jesus Christ: Jesus is the seed of woman that crushed the head of Satan.

Monday (Genesis 4-6): You read about Cain killing Abel and could observe God’s care for life. God said Abel’s blood “cries out to Me from the ground.” Cain was punished for his sin. You also read the genealogy of Adam down through Noah and were introduced to Noah. In a time of worldwide wickedness Noah was a just man. God instructed Noah to build an ark so he could be saved from the coming flood that would destroy the wicked.

Tuesday (Genesis 7-9): You read about the flood and how Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives (eight people in all) went on the ark along with the animals. You also read about their coming off the ark and receiving the promise from God that He would never again destroy all flesh by flood waters. The rainbow was placed in the sky as a visible reminder of God’s promise.

Wednesday (Genesis 9-12): You read about Babel and the Tower of Babel. God had commanded Noah and his sons to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. At Babel people attempted to bunch together and “make a name” for themselves instead of bringing glory to God. By confusing their language God thwarted their rebellion (see Genesis 11:9) and kept man from committing even greater sin. Additionally, you were introduced to Abram (later known as Abraham), a key Bible character. In Genesis 12:3 a tremendously important promise was made to Abram and one that will develop through the Bible.

That’s just four days and we have not even touched on everything from those 12 chapters that could be mentioned. What will you learn tomorrow? Keep reading and find out!

If you haven’t started reading yet it is not too late to start! In the course of 12 months the 12 chapters you are behind can easily be made up. You can still do it!

Throughout the year, Lord willing, we will feature articles and insights to aid in comprehension of what we have been reading.

The Bible is the inspired word of God and therefore must be our guide for all that we say and do in life if we are to be pleasing to God the Father. Whether you read the Bible regularly or this will be your first time through we encourage you to search the pages of God’s word.

There are different methods people have used to read the Bible in a year. Some choose to read the Bible straight through from Genesis to Revelation. Some read a little bit of the Old Testament and New Testament each day. Other methods exist, also.

Whichever method you choose we simply encourage you to read! In approximately 15 minutes per day you can read through the entire Bible in one year. You can do it, and you will benefit greatly from it!

We have a limited number of free Bible reading calendar bookmarks available by request. Additionally, various reading plans exist for free on various web sites including this one.

Throughout 2012 we will feature articles on our web site to assist readers in gleaning information and insight from God’s word as we read through the Bible. It is our sincere hope that you will join us in searching the riches of God’s wonderful word.

If you have any questions, would like to inform us of your intent to read the Bible or would like to request a free Bible Reading Calendar bookmark (supplies are limited) please contact us.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” (Psalm 109:105; NKJV)

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17; NKJV)

Unfortunately, there is a great lack of Bible knowledge in our nation and even in our state today. In hopes of re-kindling interest in the word of God within the city of Clinton we invite you to commit to reading the entire Bible by the end of 2012.

If you are planning to do this and would like to let us know you can do so via the methods presented on our “Contact Us” page.

Our guest speaker is Waymon Swain. The meeting begins Sunday at 9 a.m., continues during our 10 a.m. worship hour and resumes at 6 p.m. during our evening worship service.

The meeting continues Monday-Wednesday at 7 p.m. each night.

Clinton Church of Christ meets at 155 Broadway Street, adjacent to Windsor Village apartments and across the street from Landmark apartments. A welcome is waiting for you!