The Bible Column - A Lack of Biblical Knowledge in our Society

“For without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:5
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1
In our present day of the great lack of understanding of those outside of Christ, of the basic truths and principles of the Word of God, it becomes increasingly imperative for the soulwinner and Christian worker to make sure that the one seeking God’s salvation and forgiveness of sin is made aware of, among other truths, the content of the Scriptures above. It has been thought in the past, that in America the population is generally aware of the basics of Christian doctrine, and that detailed clarification of those truths along with the Holy Spirit’s working in their hearts, is all that is needed for people to understand their sin, God’s love for them, repentance towards God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23, 6:23, John 3:16, Romans 5:8 and Acts 20:21.
By contrast, in heathen lands, the foreign missionary has long understood that much of the population which they are trying to reach is mostly not aware of any form of Christian doctrine! For years, there have been materials established, such as the evangelistic Bible Study entitled, from “Creation to Christ”, and more recently, “Perfect Peace Forever with God”, a 4 week gospel Bible Study. The consideration of these evangelistic studies is to first teach… “which be the first principles of the oracles of God;…” Hebrews 5:12. In so doing, the person in need of God’s salvation can be taught in the way of the Lord and convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, John 16:8... thus providing them a valid and solid Bible foundation upon which to get saved!
Presently however in America, we must likewise no longer take for granted that our society has the Biblical background of knowledge to understand many things of those of yesteryear! Much time has now passed in our society with very little clear Bible exposition. As a result, the average American has little to no knowledge of the Word of God! The truths of the 3 passages of Scripture above detail some of these unknown oracles or utterances of God, as follows.
1) In Hebrews 11:6, we learn that one who is able to please God and come to God, must believe that God “IS”…that he exists, and that He is, “a rewarder” or a remunerator, of them that diligently seek Him.
Today with the false theory of evolution, humanism, the disbelief of the existence of the God of Heaven, and multiple religious views, having been so long taught to several generations of people, largely as fact in public education and much of religion in America, that many do not have knowledge or confidence that, “God IS” and “that he is a rewarder”, of peace and direction for them! Many people today claim that they are agnostic or atheistic. Without basic knowledge, understanding, and belief of the Scriptures, no one can please God and/or be born again. Sadly, multiplied, hundreds and thousands of people fit this description! This is the result of Satan’s design!
2) In like manner, many do not know that God is good, and ready to forgive their personal sin in His wonderful and multiplied mercy! Psalm 86:5 and Lamentations 3:22 and 23…Nor do they know that their forgiveness from God is nigh them, even in their mouth and in their heart…Romans 10:8. They do not know how to gain full assurance of their salvation!
3) Finally, they do not know that there awaits a wonderful blessing from Almighty God, of the immediate and complete forgiveness of their personal sin! Psalms 32:1
These truths are found only in the Word of God, the Bible, and are not found in mere religion or any place else! These truths must be known and understood before a lost sinner can understand and comprehend the simple Bible message of salvation by grace through faith in the death, burial, resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins! Otherwise, dear folk will either give up on the possibility of meriting God’s favor, or hopelessly continue on in their efforts of religion to find forgiveness of their sin!