When differences combine by Gary Rose

When I saw this picture, I entitled it “A very good question”. Why? Because it is really two questions in one: What do these words mean and what do they mean to me?

My Wordnet dictionary says...

Ignorance:

1. ignorance -- (the lack of knowledge or education)

Apathy:

1. apathy -- (an absence of emotion or enthusiasm)

2. apathy, indifference, numbness, spiritlessness -- (the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally)

And the answer given in the picture is their definition. However, the two terms taken together reflect an attitude that further defines what is really going on with this “Ostrich”. There is a passage in the beginning of the book of Romans that addresses an “Ostrich” type person and it is found in the first chapter.

Romans 1 ( World English Bible )

  ¹³  Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.  ¹⁴ I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.  ¹⁵ So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.  ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” ¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  ¹⁹ because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.  ²⁰ For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.  ²¹ Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 

  ²²  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  ²³ and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. ²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,  ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

  ²⁶  For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.  ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.  ²⁸ Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,  ³⁰ backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  ³¹ without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. 

If you have ever known someone over a long period of time that has become totally immersed in a sinful lifestyle, you will realize that they didn’t start out that way. First they started doing small things; a white lie, a small theft (say, a pencil) and then they graduated to more and more things that everyone knows are wrong; like bold lies, larger thefts and hurting other people. When someone tries to correct them, they choose not to listen and if they are told that God wouldn’t like it, they reject HIM and do what they want, regardless. They ignore God’s revelation of himself through his creation and make other gods for themselves (most often today in today’s world, that god is the god of ME). Gradually, they become so convinced in the correctness of their actions, that they will do anything and everything they want, regardless of the consequences to themselves or others. Their sinful life doesn’t stop there; they gleefully encourage (and often strongly persuade) others to participate in their sinful ways. Their heart becomes hardened to the point where it can no longer learn spiritual teachings and downright refuses to learn them. In short they don’t know and don’t care (AND NEVER WILL)! As their lives progress they continue to go from bad to worse and then to the unthinkable.

About now, you are probably thinking- I am not like this. But, consider who directs your life, is it solely your will or are you willing to listen to others and especially what God has to say through his word. If the answer is only yourself; wake up, take your head out the sand then determine in your heart to listen to what the creator of all the universe has to say to you.

What’s next? Get a new attitude and change

An attitude that says “I want to find out what kind of person God wants me to be and I will change”. I recommend that you start reading your Bible with the Gospel of Mark and then the first few chapters of Acts. Find someone who knows where a church of Christ is and ask them questions. You will get answers and be given hope!