Worshipping in ignorance
It is a scary thought to know that we can be so busy in worshipping a deity and do it in complete ignorance. It is even more scary to know that it can be done to the right deity but in ignorance. That realization can sink our heart to the lowest level, it will make us cringe, be in utter disbelief even more so if you are surrounded by people with similar thoughts and lifestyles – how can they all get it wrong? (as if numbers can determine the truth).
There are 2 instances in the Bible where such a revelation was made. The first was made by. Jesus to a Samaritan woman. Samaritans were the Israelites of the northern Kingdom who were not deported by the Assyrian conquerors in 722 bce. They inter married with the Assyrians who were moved to the northern Israel and lost their identity as true Israelites. We also know that they believe only in the Pentateuch, ie, the first five books written by Moses. The following is what Jesus mentioned to the Samaritan woman – “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22) . In the second instance apostle Paul mentions the same about Jews ( a people whom God had chosen for God himself) – “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” (Romans 10:2-3)
Its a scary situation to be in when you realize that you could have spent your entire life in vain, in ignorance, your life was a lie! But thanks be to God who has given us the truth – “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (John 4:23).
So what is this knowledge – “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-24). Let us therefore rely on Jesus for salvation and the strength to be like him.
