"While GOd has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
(Acts 17:30-31)
Paul is in Athens, speaking to an enthusiastic crowd eager to hear "something new." They are an extremely religious people, with tons of shrines all over the city. Paul capitalizes on this spiritual hunger, and tells them of Jesus. Amidst his teaching, he mentions that God has "overlooked times of human ignorance" in the past, before calling all to repentance.
I love that phrase. TIMES OF HUMAN IGNORANCE. How true! We've all had them, haven't we? Whether it be ignorance about God, current events, things happening in the lives of those closest to us, etc. Even John Wesley, the great English pastor, theologian, and the founder of Methodism, commented on how we, as humans, are wrong about some things and ignorant about much! What a blessing that God can overlook that in our lives.
Nevertheless, He calls us to repentance. We cannot stay ignorant forever. Jesus came to make it easy to know God and God's love. It's a love that demands a response. Let us not overlook that opportunity!
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