March 6

BANDWAGON IGNORANCE
by Ray Prinzing

"The assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together..."                                                                                               (Acts 19:32).

The tumult was caused by a few zealous agitators, and soon it sparked a riot, with a gathering crowd milling about, but the more part knew not why they were even shouting, nor for what they were come together.  The situation started moving, and everybody joined in, and so the bandwagon was rolling, but in ignorance. 

Although, this is tragically true in the natural, people ignorantly join in to give support to a cause they know nothing of, nor even take time to learn about, it is even sadder when people are caught in the same plight in spiritual matters.  Someone comes along with a strong personality, gaining the attention of others, and he begins to oppose a truth, calling it error because it threatens his kingdom and his own pre-conceived carnal ideas, and soon everybody is mouthing words against that doctrine, having no idea of mouthing words against that doctrine, having no idea of what it means, nor taking time to ask God if there be truth in it.

Jesus spoke to a woman one day, "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: - the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."  (John 4:22-23).

There must be a worship which is more than an outward form, ritual, or ceremony.  It will be "in spirit" because it is the outflow of the innermost being, and it will be "in truth" because it is something they KNOW, out of the diving revelation which the Spirit imparted to them.

Paul stood on Mar's hill and spoke to the men about him,  "I found an altar with this inscription, To the unknown God.  Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you."  (Acts 17:23). Paul knew in Whom he had believed, he knew Him and so could DECLARE HIM. This knowledge brought deliverance that released those who were bound in superstition and fear.  There is no glory in riding the bandwagon of ignorance, but there is life and victory when we KNOW HIM who is "the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6).