“Ignorance Of The Law Is No Excuse.”

 “Ignorance Of The Law Is No Excuse.”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

        Thomas Jefferson, the famous statesman and former President of the United States, made the statement above. I want us to study this sentence because this sentiment has its origins with God. Some have the mistaken notion that if someone is doing wrong, but does not know it is wrong, then God will excuse that behavior because “they did not know,” or “their heart was in the right place,” etc. This is not so. God demands that all men read and understand His word. Paul wrote to the Ephesians and said, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). He also told them, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). Thus, we learn three things from these passages: 1) It is a command of God to be wise. 2) The only way to gain that wisdom is to read God’s word. 3) Since God has commanded this and provided us with Scripture, I have no excuse if I am found to be ignorant of God’s will.

            If one drives over the speed limit and is pulled over, do you think the police officer will overlook the breaking of the law simply because the driver was not paying attention and did not know the speed limit? Of course, not! Why, then, do people think that God will overlook the sin and ignorance in their lives? “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). God’s longsuffering is what has allowed us to live to this present time (II Pet. 3:9; Rom. 2:4). Let us take advantage of this opportunity to learn God’s will and repent, so that we will not be ignorant and miss out on God’s blessings (Rom. 11:25; II Cor. 6:2; Matt. 7:24-27).