Two people were discussing the affairs of state. One man was quite concerned and said to the other, "You know there are two serious problems in our world today: ignorance and indifference!" The other man replied, "I didn't know that but I don't really care." That says something to us doesn't it?

These two problems are not new or just a problem of our times, but rather, they have plagued the religious world for centuries. Hosea cried out for God, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). God said in Hosea 6:6, "1 desire ... the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Ignorance is devastating in any endeavored area of venture. Who would want a school teacher instructing our children who had very little knowledge of the "3 R's"? Who would want a doctor to treat them who knew very little about medicine? Paul wrote about people who had a "zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10: 1-3).

The attitude of indifference caused Jesus to say to the Laodicean church, "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3:15). Jeremiah wanted Israel to work with vigor so he wrote, "Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord negligently ... (with indifference, LB)" (Jer. 48:10).

Ignorance and indifference are still problems in the religious realm (secular, too) today. Therefore, one reason among many (besides a commandment of the Lord) for our attending Bible classes, worship services, gospel meetings, singings or special classes etc., is for us to overcome these two malfunctions that are a blight in the life of the Christian and upon the image of the church. If you will not be indifferent, you will do all you can to seek knowledge.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 6, p. 184
March 15, 1984