Don’t Plead Ignorance
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 csb
What’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom? It’s often said that wisdom is the application of knowledge. For example, I might learn a new trade in a classroom, gaining knowledge, but when I take that knowledge into the field and apply it, I begin to walk in wisdom. This is a simple way to understand the difference between the two. In the book of Hosea, God warned His people that they would be destroyed for a lack of knowledge. That’s a sobering statement. But it raises the question: what knowledge were they lacking?
Fast forward to when Jesus walked the earth 2,000 years ago. He declared that He always did the will of His Father, saying, “The things I do, I see My Father do.” Jesus intimately knew the Father and remained perfectly connected to Him. To know (verb) something is to have knowledge (noun) of it. So, what exactly did Christ know? He knew the will of His Father. And what was the Father's will? Jesus Himself explained it in John 12:46: “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.”
Jesus came as a light to the world, sent because of God’s immense love for humanity. His mission was to bring clarity, hope, and direction to those in spiritual darkness. The Greek word for "darkness" in John 12:46 is skotia, which metaphorically refers to ignorance of divine things—a state often linked with wickedness. So when God declared through Hosea that His people would be destroyed for a lack of knowledge, He was pointing to their deliberate ignorance of His divine law and nature. Despite having been given the Torah, they chose to reject it. In the New Testament, God sent His Son to illuminate what the Law truly meant and to fulfill it perfectly. But Jesus didn’t stop there—He also became the ultimate sin offering for humanity. The Gospel message has since gone out into the world. Yet, many who hear it still choose ignorance, rejecting Christ and His teachings. Scripture makes it clear that such a choice leads to destruction.
However, for those who believe, the story is different. Jesus, the expressed image of the invisible God, declared that faith in Him frees us from darkness and ignorance. When we apply His teachings in our lives, we move from knowledge to wisdom. As Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Choosing Christ today means stepping into His light, walking in the wisdom of God, and living in His truth. This is the essence of wisdom: not just knowing about God, but living in His will and reflecting His light in the world.
Agape, Frank
Highly Valued
“I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11 csb
The things we value, we sacrifice for—whether it’s our resources, time, energy, or very life. The world around us often tells us that the individual isn’t what matters; rather, society as a whole is what’s most important. This idea, known as “collectivism,” was popularized by Karl Marx in what we know as Marxism. Though he wasn’t the original founder of this philosophy, its roots go back even further. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Du contrat social (1762) is considered one of the earliest modern influences on this ideology. It argues that an individual finds true identity and freedom only by submitting to the “general will” of the community. The problem with this philosophy is that it elevates the majority above the individual, rendering personal worth secondary.
With this mindset, it’s no wonder people today often feel unseen, uncared for, and undervalued. Society tells them they’re just another face in the crowd, another social security number. Yet, when Jesus came, He proclaimed that each person holds the highest value to God. Using the image of a shepherd, He emphasized His deep love, value, and care not only for humanity collectively but also for each individual.
As C. H. Spurgeon wrote:
“Jesus stands in the same relationship to his people as a shepherd does to his flock. He owns his people; every one of them belongs to him. He prizes them because they are his—sets a value on each of them. He takes care of them, remembering them both night and day. His heart is never off them, and because of his inward love, there is an outward goodness that he constantly extends to them. He protects them from the wolf. He guards them from a thousand dangers. He supplies all their needs. He guides them in their right way. He brings them back when they wander. He strengthens them when they are weak. He carries them when they are too feeble to go on.”
No matter what society tells you or how it views you, know that Christ values you immensely. How can we be sure? Jesus Himself declared, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). There is no greater sacrifice than one’s own life and no greater display of love than death. Jesus laid down His life on the cross, tasting death so that you may live. Believer, you are highly valued, greatly cherished, and deeply loved. Let no one convince you otherwise.
Agape,
Frank