Ignorance and the Danger of Good Intentions

In Chapter 15 of The Pilgrims Progress, Christian and Hopeful wait for Ignorance who is strolling behind at a distance. Once Ignorance had caught up,

Christian Asked:

“How is your relationship with God?”

Ignorance Replied:

“Well, I hope; for I am always engaging in positive mental activities to encourage myself as I walk.”

Christians Asked:

"What kind of mental activities?"

Ignorance Replied:

"Oh, I think about God and Heaven?

Christians Replied:

"That is good, but are you aware that the demons and those who will suffer damnation do this also?” James 2:19

Ignorance Replied:

"But I think about them and desire them?

Christians Replied:

"I am sure you are aware that many desire them who will never be accepted there. For 'the sluggard craves and gets nothing. Proverbs 13:4

The life of Ignorance teaches us that to desire Heaven is not good enough, if we also do not seek to align ourselves with its principles. Proverbs 13:4 tells us a lazy soul desires but gets nothing, because thinking and desiring is as far as they go.

I recently was in Melbourne as guest speaker, and while there I challenged the youth with this question: Have they ever gone window shopping and admired a piece of cloths that you wanted?

 I then said, desiring a piece of clothing does not get you that clothing, but what does is knowing the price and then working hard to save enough money to attain that attire. So too, it does not help to admire others spirituality, and neither does wishing you were more consecrated and connected to God like some others, but what will help and save you is making an effort to make what you spiritually lack to be you.

This is a principle that Ignorance willingly failed to understand, the consequence of his decision you will hear about it in the future Blog.