We Do Not Want You Uninformed

Here is an interesting phrase that is found in the New Testament.  I remember learning once the reach of ignorance. That is, "you don't know what you don't know".  Today I was reading a blog on www.accordancebible.com where a command within their software helps you locate similar phrases throughout the Bible.  Its the INFER command.  So I followed the instructions in this new software that I'm learning, and (enjoying by the way).  I put in one of my favorite Bible passages as the base text.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  This is the "Blessed Hope" passage in the Assemblies of God doctrines.  What that report produced was amazing.  Here is the passage:

1Th. 4:13   But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep,  that you may not grieve as others do  who have no hope.  14 For  since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him  those who have fallen asleep.  15 For this we declare to you  by a word from the Lord,  that  we who are alive, who are left until  the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  16 For  the Lord himself will descend  from heaven  with a cry of command, with the voice of  an archangel, and  with the sound of the trumpet of God. And  the dead in Christ will rise first.  17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be  caught up together with them  in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so  we will always be with the Lord.  18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 


Here are the results in the rest of the Bible compared with the phrases in that passage:

Psa. 47:5    God  has gone up with a shout,

the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 

Jer. 23:20  The anger of the LORD will not turn back

until he has executed and  accomplished

the intents of his heart.

  In the latter days you will understand it clearly. 

Jer. 30:24  The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back

until he has executed and accomplished

the intentions of his mind.

  In the latter days you will understand this. 

Jer. 44:16 “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD,  we will not listen to you. 

Acts 13:18 And for about  forty years  he put up with  them in the wilderness. 

Rom. 11:25    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers:   a partial hardening has come upon Israel,  until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 

1Cor. 10:1   For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,  that our fathers were all under  the cloud, and all  passed through the sea, 

1Cor. 12:1   Now  concerning  spiritual gifts,  brothers,  I do not want you to be uninformed. 

1Cor. 15:18 Then those also who  have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 

1Cor. 15:20   But in fact  Christ has been raised from the dead,  the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

2Cor. 1:8   For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,  of  the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 

James 5:7   Be patient, therefore, brothers,  until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives  the early and the late rains.  

Here are the powerful inferences you can gain from this kind of search.

1.  References to Similar Concepts.

In this case, the phrase "I do not want you to be" shows up in Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 10:1, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 

You can infer based on these three passages that there was an intentionality in the apostle that was passionate about making sure either the Romans, the Corinthians, or the Thessalonians, were aware of the details of his message.  They needed to know! They needed to be informed.  It inspires critical thinking. As a professor friend of mine is known for saying before he enters the classroom: "I'm going to stomp out ignorance".  We should be so encouraged in our discipleship efforts in the local church. They need to know the details of the Gospel.  They need to understand the power of the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

I'm particularly thrilled to be reminded of this phrase in 1 Corinthians 12:1

1Cor. 12:1   Now  concerning  spiritual gifts,  brothers,  I do not want you to be uninformed. 

Glory to God! We need to know about the gifts of the Spirit!  We should not be uninformed about it!  Make disciples!  

2.  Reinforcement of Doctrinal Truths

Last night at church, I happened to be teaching on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. I mentioned that in the Assemblies of God, we believe that 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 is a more specific description of what is taking place in the rapture description of 1 Thessalonians 4:12-18.  What is so amazing about the Accordance INFER command, is the result that it produced.

1Cor. 15:18 Then those also who  have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 

1Cor. 15:20   But in fact  Christ has been raised from the dead,  the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

When you look at the context of 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, you discover Paul's extensive treatment of the Christian doctrine of the Resurrection.  He then will continue through that passage until in culminates in his victorious statements in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

The point is that the discussion of those who have fallen asleep in Christ is not a random reference.  On the contrary, its a well-developed theology of death that excludes the notion of soul sleep  and affirms the eschatological reality of resurrection!  More than that, the final resurrection of the redeemed in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which is our Blessed Hope!

Which leads us to our final hit in the INFER command:

James 5:7   Be patient, therefore, brothers,  until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives  the early and the late rains.  

Glory to His Name.  Jesus is coming back.  We should be patient in the midst of our trials, temptations, struggles, and victories that there will come the ultimate day when the harvest of souls will come in.

May the Lord bless you as you think about, pray, and study the word of God, in context, so that you will be workman that does not need to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth.

For Those Who Have Questions.

There are many different stages on the journey of faith. This blog is for those who are not yet believers but want to have more information.  It's my prayer that in your questions about God, you will discover Him and His love for you.  So, for those who are asking questions about becoming a Christian.  It may seem like there's too much to learn or its too complicated.  Let me try to be simple.

1. There is only one God.  You and I are fortunate, that one God is all powerful, knows everything, and loves people immensely.
2.  There is this problem called sin. It started in the human race with Adam and Eve, who lived in paradise, but disobeyed God and introduced sin into the human race.  We inherited the sin problem.
3. Sin separates us from God.  If you feel guilty about some things you've done in the past, it's probably related to sin.  It's evil and life controlling.  Human behavior is tarnished by sin in everyone.
4. Because God is completely good, He can't allow sin in His presence, thus it separates us completely.
5. Since sin separates us from God, we have to find out what to do about it.  
6. There are NO righteous activities, such as prayer, giving, Bible reading, or self-sacrifice that can fix the sin problem.  We were born sinners.  This is urgent because if we die in our sin, we will go to hell because we rejected the love of God.
7. There is good news. God is ahead of us. He has provided a way to break the power of sin.  
8. God has a Son, whose name is Jesus.  He has always existed, like His Father, and He came to earth as a human to die on our behalf so He could break the power of sin. 
9. Jesus died.  His death was the final and all-time sacrifice for the sins of mankind. His death paid the price so that the power of sin could be broken. He also came back to life three days later, proving that He really was the son of God.  He has gone into heaven and is alive today, offering anyone who believes in Him forgiveness from sin and life forever and forever.
10.  Belief in Jesus Christ, to stand in our place before God, in His righteousness, is the only way our sins can be forgiven.
11. The way you express that belief is by praying to Jesus Christ, asking for forgiveness, stating your belief in His resurrection (coming back to life) and confessing that you want Him in your life.
12. After you become a Christian, your values will change and you will start to care about the things God cares about.

When you die, you will go to heaven, paradise forever and forever.

You will always have questions.  The biggest question is, who are you going to trust your life to while you seek the answers to questions?  Bring your questions to Christ.