This morning as I read, I was reminded of a phrase I use on a regular basis in my training classes, “Ignorance is okay, but ignorance by design is not”. I am sure this brings questions as to what I am referring to. Well, it is okay to not know something, but if you choose not to know, then there is a problem. How often is it that we simply choose not to know.

“¹⁷And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.” — Acts 3:17 (ESV)

Peter, speaking here in the portico of Solomon, is addressing the people after they have wondered in amazement at the healing of a beggar. Peter is referring back to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus and the acts of ignorance of the people as they carried them out. In this instance as relates to the beggar’s healing, Peter reminds them that they indeed are not ignorant to that which healed the man, just as they were not really ignorant of the suffering and death and resurrection of Jesus.

“¹⁸But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.” — Acts 3:18 (ESV)

How much that goes on in my life that I claim not to know about and yet, when I look back at past events and recordings, was it “foretold” and I did not log the in information nor did I heed it. I have to remember that just because I do not know or remember something does not absolve me of the consequences of my actions. I have to be responsible to dig for understanding and take aim to know and remember going forward.

I choose to know and therefore I will know. I cannot go through life with the excuses of not knowing for as I said, “ignorance is okay, but ignorance by design is not”. I may not know, yet I have a responsibility to learn and remember.

What is going on in your life that you claim to now know? Are you sure that you did not hear or learn it somewhere and are simply not recalling? What if you took every opportunity to learn and know and work to remember so that you will not be acting out of ignorance?

“⁷We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.” — Nehemiah 1:7 (ESV)

These are the words of Nehemiah as he is praying to God. He recognized that the people of Jerusalem had fallen away from God and were in need of forgiveness.

Just like the people of Jerusalem, I am in need of forgiveness and should make it known to God so that I can effectively ask for that forgiveness of the actions taken again Him. Whereas I have been saved of my sins, that does not give me the right to continue sinning intentionally, or unintentionally for that matter. I have a duty to God to follow Him and that includes that all of my actions should be in line with Him.

When I have fallen away and every day, I must devote myself to God and the repentance of my sins against Him. I may not fully know the sins I have committed, but I am still responsible for them none the less. My repentance should be in line with the example that Nehemiah provides here in this passage.

“⁴As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” — Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV)

Notice that Nehemiah “sat down and wept and mourned for days”. He fasted and prayed. He did not just give the cursory “thanks and forgive me”, Nehemiah was distraught and devoted to gaining forgiveness for the people of Jerusalem. I have to have that same devotion.

There are many times that I simple go through the motions in my prayers. I will simply say the words out of habit and complete them as part of a task to be completed for the day. That is not going to get it done. Yes, there is something to say about the idea of praying each day, but it is more about the substance and quality and meaning and sincerity of prayer than it is about the frequency and just completion of a task.

Just as Nehemiah devoted himself to his prayer to God for days on end, so should I.

“¹⁷pray without ceasing,” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

This verse gives the framework of what devotion to God should look like and that goes with all time, but also in the instance when we know that we have acted against Him.

What actions have you taken against God? Are you repentant of those actions? What if you were to devote yourself to repentance and were to “pray without ceasing” as a show of your devotion?

Whatever it is that I do, I am always found out. Not really something I think about often, but it is very true. Even surprises and secrets that are kept that are good, are always found out. Either by intention or not, everything is always found out.

This morning I am reading in Joshua of the deception from the Gibeonites. These people decided to act in the way of deception to gain protection from conquer. They pretended to be something they were not in order to gain favor.

“³But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, ⁴they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, ⁵with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly.” — Joshua 9:3-5 (ESV)

Notice the great lengths that were taken to hide their true identity. What a set of great pretenders. The reality was they lived among the others in the area although were not widely known to all. They spent a great deal of time to create this elaborate scheme to gain favor for something that was not their due, a covenant with Joshua.

Now their scheme was going pretty well even with all of the questions that came as they asked for their covenant until… Just when they were thought to be home free and had gotten away with the great deception, a group of their neighbors came to Joshua and exposed them for the frauds they were. The Gibeonites thought they had everything in the bag and were well on their way. These people were, I believe constantly looking over their shoulder with the thought they would be found out at some point, and they indeed were.

“¹⁶At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. ¹⁷And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.” — Joshua 9:16-17 (ESV)

Someone recognized them and they were found out. I know that I will ultimately be found out and therefor I have to be careful with what I choose to keep secret. Are their things to hide away for a time, yes. Some surprises are meant to elicit a jovial response when revealed, and that is just it, when revealed, not exposed.

My acts will always be found out, only when they are I have to be sure that those are the reveals and not the exposure. The difference as I see them are that I choose to tell as opposed to having those secrets thrust into the limelight for all to see. I am responsible for the acts that I commit and with those acts I should not be afraid to have them out in the light. Will I get it right all the time, NO. I do have the responsibility to take responsibility for those secrets and do all I can to ensure that the right amount of transparency is given for all of them. My acts will always be found out.

What acts are you taking on that you are looking to “get away with”? Are those acts/secrets those that you are hoping never come about? What if you were to work to only hold those that are supposed to be revealed instead of those that will likely be exposed, for all acts will be found out?

“¹²So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” — James 2:12 (ESV)

I read this verse and see that I am to be speaking and acting as a follower of Christ. I am no better than anyone and should hold and carry myself to that standard. I have given myself to Christ and must act and speak accordingly or I am no better than those around me.

James is writing on the “sin of partiality” here in this passage. He reminds me that I have to act and speak according to God in all that I do.

“¹⁰For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. ¹¹For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” — James 2:10-11 (ESV)

Just because I may not sin in one area, does not absolve me of sin in another. I am responsible to adhering to God’s law in all that I do. This goes for all of my actions and not just in the area of sins. I am to treat everyone the same and not show any partiality or favoritism to any I come in contact with. I see and hear in my reading and study on the topic of leader that one should treat the janitor the same as the CEO in business. This goes for my role as a follower of Christ as well. I am to treat the least of these as the greatest of these to demonstrate my love for all in the name of Christ.

I am to act as a follower of Christ with all as I do not know the one who needs to hear the gospel. I may miss the opportunity to spread the gospel when I am not acting as a follower of Christ myself. I have to always act in accordance to God’s law to ensure that I am demonstrating His love to all.

What actions are you taking or not taking that could indicated your partiality? Are you showing favoritism to any you come in contact? What if you were to always act according to God’s law and treating all as those deserving of God’s love?

One act or action can do so much more than just that act or action. I am sure that most of us are familiar with the ripple effect. One stone thrown into a body of water will effect the entire surface of the water, not just in the moment, but with the returning ripple as well. There is a lot time and effort needed to stop the ripple effect and without careful investigation, there may not be a way to see the lasting effects of those ripples than began with a single act.

This morning I am studying in Romans about “Death in Adam, Life in Christ”. The passage is titled as such for chapter five verses 12-21. Here I am reminded that the one act or sin of Adam had a lasting effect on all that came after him, with one exception of course, Jesus. Adam’s act of eating from the tree of knowledge was that which made sin known and led to death for all.

“¹²Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” — Romans 5:12 (ESV)

One bite of fruit (the single act) led to death. See the seeming innocence of the sin. Sin is sin and the result of it is the same, regardless of the gravity of it. Adam’s one act of sin rippled throughout and the lasting effects are still being felt.

Now that ripple effect is also felt thanks for the act of Jesus. He took on our sin and died (the single act) and provided a way to be justified. Thanks to the one act of sacrifice, I have been given a chance to experience glory in heaven. My sins, that began with Adam, are forgiven with the one act of Jesus for my sake. The ripple effect of Jesus’ act is felt continually.

Just imagine that same stone in water story, only now, there is a larger stone thrown into the water. The ripple caused by the first stone is overcome by the ripples of the larger stone. Jesus is that larger stone and His act was much more powerful than the small sin of Adam.

“¹⁷For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:17 (ESV)

One act, no matter the size, will affect many others and the actions they are taking themselves. Sin is a part of our lives thanks to the small act of Adam in the Garden of Eden. This led to death as the wages of that sin. Jesus’ act of sacrifice in our place provided the greater effect that overcomes sin for all.

“¹⁸Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” — Romans 5:18 (ESV)

Jesus’ act, dying for our salvation, where it leads to justification, is one act that we have to understand and knowingly accept in order to gain that justification. I have to act myself to receive the gift that God has for me.

I have the ability to impact others based on my acts. I can choose to small acts that are easy, like taking a bite from fruit on a tree, or I can choose larger acts that are hard. Either way, I will impact others. The larger acts will have more impact although, they will need to be accepted as those acts. I choose the larger, harder acts.

What acts are you out there conducting? Are you taking the easy path and allowing it to ripple throughout? What if you were to choose the larger, harder acts and allowed those to cause a larger ripple once they are accepted?

“³The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst ⁴they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.’” — John 8:3-4 (ESV)

This woman had been caught in the act of sin, and as I read, she does not refute that at all. She was brought before Jesus to receive her just punishment based on the law of Moses.

I know that I have been caught in the act of breaking the law of man. Whereas I will defend myself to the fullest, I will generally not refute that I acted in such a way. I will take the punishment of man for the actions taken in line with the law of God (although, not here to discuss those merits).

Sin is sin, and whether we are caught in the act by others or we seem to get away with it, we are still responsible to God. In this passage, the woman was caught in sin and should be punished under the law of man. Jesus however turns the tables on those who bring her to task. He asks them to examine themselves for sin in their own lives and if there is none, then they are free to judge this woman on her sin. As they examine, there is not one of them that is without sin and therefor they leave the woman with the one who was without sin, Jesus.

“¹⁰Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ¹¹She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’” — John 8:10-11 (ESV)

Now Jesus had every right to condemn the woman as she clearly did not refuter her sin, and that sin was directly against Jesus. Yet, He demonstrates His love and compassion by allowing the woman to repent and sin no more. Jesus does not condemn the woman based on past sin, He loves her and with her repentance she is spared additional punishment.

Even as a Christian, I am still a sinner. There is no reason to hide from it as God knows and even knew before we committed the sin. I do have the opportunity to repent of that sin, even when caught in the act. With my repentance, God does not condemn me, He shows compassion and love for me and allows me to move forward.

What sins have you committed in life? Are you trying to hide from, or get away with them? What if you were to accept the sin you have committed and repent knowing that God will not condemn you, even when you have been caught in the act?

How often is it that I know of the followers of Christ carrying out acts that are not in the following of God’s law. I have witnessed it first hand and heard of it from others. During those times that I find myself wondering if following God’s law is even worth the work. If going against God’s law seems to not be of any consequence, and those that do seem to prosper from it, then what reasons are there for me to follow?

It is in those times of doubt that I need some action. I need to be shown that there are consequences to the actions taken or not taken. I have to, as Thomas, be shown that there is a point and not just hear about what is to come. This morning as I study the word “act” I am reading in Psalm 119 and see that praying for God to demonstrate the consequences of going against His law is not out of bounds.

“¹²⁶It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.” — Psalm 119:126 (ESV)

“When God’s ‘law has been broken’ by his own people and they seem to get away with it, it seems that God is inactive; this is a prayer that he would vindicate his own justice for the sake of his faithful.” — ESV Commentary

As seen in the verse and commentary above, praying for God to demonstrate the consequences of acting against His law is there for us as faithful servants. I should be able to see that my actions should not be rewarded for the work against God. I have to see that I will not get away with it, just as those that broke the law of God did not get away with it. This is the discipline of God for the lack of discipline in doing His work.

I have the opportunity to do God’s work and follow His law, and when I do not, I have to suffer the consequences. I pray for God to act and discipline me for my sake, as I am less likely to break His law again, and for the sake of other Christians. Others may see and know that God is just and will act when we are not acting according to God’s law.

What laws of God have you broken and not felt the consequences? Are you praying that God will act? What if you asked God to act on your law breaking for your own sake and for the sake of your fellow followers?

I believe that too often we ask God for something and expect that it will be given. In fact, the verse below from Jesus is an example of what is used to justify or go against that very concept.

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

There is much more to the asking of God for Him to give or provide. I have to be fully devoted and committed to Him with all my heart and then He will act accordingly.

“⁴Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ⁵Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” — Psalm 37:4-5 (ESV)

In the verses above, I see what it is that leads to the being given or provided by God. I have to delight in the LORD and commit to Him and then he will give and act. It is not just about asking, I have to fully commit to Him and then He will take action with regard to the desire of my heart.

God’s action is dependent on my action. I have to act with conviction to the LORD and then He will act in response to my action accordingly. Without my commitment to Him, I may not receive. Notice my words, “may not” receive. God will provide that which I need at all times. He will ensure that I have that which is required to fulfill His work. I will not “need” for anything. It is the desires that I may not “need” that will be waning without my commitment to Him. I have to be “in it to win it”, to use a saying, in order that God will act and give me the desires of my heart.

What have you asked for from God that you may not have received? Are you asking from your heart? What if you were to delight and commit and trust in Him and ask for that which is in your heart?

A difficult statement/question this is as God will do so and not always as I believe with my head. It is that within my heart that God will act on, and not that which I want to happen.

“³⁸whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house,” — 1 Kings 8:38 (ESV)

Solomon is clear here in his prayer. He is stating to God and reminding those in attendance that it is indeed that which is in the heart that God will be acting on. I can want for something to happen, but until that something is truly in my heart, and not just in my head, the action God takes may not be at all what I was looking for.

“³⁹then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),” — 1 Kings 8:39 (ESV)

Only God knows that which is in my heart. In fact, as a man, I sometimes do not know exactly that which is in my heart. I am driven by emotion and those emotions get in the way of that which is truly in the heart. I may have the emotions saying that something is a certain way and that is driving my head to take certain actions, when that which is in my heart is pushed down and hidden through my actions in an attempt to hide what is really going on. An example would be working with charities and broadcasting the work all around. My head and emotions are driven by the visual sense of the work being done and deep in the heart, I may be looking for the recognition and glory that comes from society for the work I am doing.

I am here to do the work of God and by doing so, God will act according to my heart condition in doing that work. It should not be for me that I act, and God will act according to my heart, not my head nor with what I want from Him. Regardless of what I want, God will act according to that which is deep within my heart, not that which is on the surface (unless those two are in alignment).

What is it that you have in your heart? Are your heart and head in alignment? What if we focused on God and lead with your heart and allow God to act according to our heart?

Discipline is not necessarily a fun part of life. Doing things in a particular way at a particular time may not be exciting or may not feel like there is any freedom.

I am one that tends to follow the rules and the process and does things on time and adherence. Where that may seem boring, it is in fact more stable and I find that I am able to move on to other things more quickly as a result. You see, having discipline to do things right saves time as I do not have to go back and do them again. I am able to move to the next item on the list and know that the first item is behind me. That is freedom. I have the chance to simply not be concerned with what has happened and can focus on those things are going to happen. Without discipline, I find that the list of things needing to be done never really gets any shorter as I am constantly working to “fix” what did not get done right the first time.

I have a responsibility to work on getting things right, and with God, it is even more important than in other areas. I have to remember to do that which God gives for me to accomplish and know that I have served Him first and can now move on to the next. This brings joy to my father in heaven, glory to His name, and He delights in me.

“¹²for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” — Proverbs 3:12 (ESV)

I notice in the first part of verse 12 above, that God disciplines those He loves. A lot of that is attributed to the correcting of wrong in society. There seems to be this negativity that comes with discipline as opposed to the way I described in the first part of this morning’s writing. No one likes to be disciplined, even when reading the second part of the verse that indicates the delight God has in me. What is missing is the lack of discipline that leads to discipline.

“¹¹My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,” — Proverbs 3:11 (ESV)

It starts with discipline as noted in the first part of verse 11 above. I have to remember that the discipline to do right comes before anything else. I have to not necessary like doing things the right way or in the right time, I simply have to accept them and know that there is a purpose behind them. Once I have accepted, I will then know that the consequences are mine to bear as I chose to adhere or not. And when not, the consequences will not be as pleasant as I expect.

God delights in me and my obedience. He does not want to punish me for not doing right, but I put myself in those positions by not adhering to the discipline He has provided for me to indeed do right.

What discipline are you avoiding and then being disciplined? Are you running in the attempt to get away with not doing right and being disciplined? What if you embraced the idea that God delights in you and provides discipline to you so that you can avoid disciplinary consequences?