Approximately 2,800 years ago (786-746 BC), the prophet Hosea reported these words to the people of Israel regarding the priests they had established.

My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.

Hosea 4:6 (NIV)

In those days, very few people could read, and even if everyone could read, there were no Bibles from which they could read to learn about God and what he expected of them. Therefore, the priest’s job was to educate the people on holy living. However, when the priests neglected their duties and taught things contrary to God’s word, the people suffered. They died in their sins because they lacked the knowledge to know better.

Moving forward 850 years or so, the Apostle Paul reminds his disciple, Timothy, that God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4 NIV).

Although 850 years had passed, the text that we know as the Bible had not yet been established, and few people still had access to the Scriptures. The reliance upon teachers of God’s word was as important as it had been in Hosea’s time. Hence Paul’s query in Romans.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Romans 10:14 (NIV)

Today, we are inundated with so much information that it can be difficult to discern between what is useful for living and what is useful for living holy lives pleasing to God. We no longer live in a time when people don’t have access to the Bible. Yet, despite all the literate people in the world with access to the Holy Bible, people are still dying and going to hell because of a lack of knowledge. About God.

For all of our access to information, we still live in a world that needs to be told about God. People need to know about Jesus and what he’s done for us. Fortunately, we don’t need to be preachers or teachers to tell the world about Jesus. However, we should read our Bibles, pray, and live lives that glorify God. When Jesus predicted the kind of death that he would have, he told his disciples that “when I am lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NIV). This is how people can be drawn to a knowledge of the truth of God. Through our living lives holy and pleasing to Him.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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