Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

Have you ever been questioned about something and had someone say to you, “Ignorance is NO EXCUSE!”  Maybe this is something you even heard from your dad or mom when having to give an account for some action.  You might try pleading ignorance with a police officer who has stopped you, yet it is likely that if you broke the law you will still be fined for what you did.  In an information age like the one we live in today, it is becoming increasingly clear that ignorance just isn’t a sufficient reason to excuse any action or especially a lack of action.  We must learn to grow up and use the minds GOD has given us.  We must learn from our own mistakes and from the lessons others have learned throughout history.  We must stop ignoring the reality we see or simply turning away and trying to forget what we find uncomfortable.  Ignorance is NO EXCUSE!

From my own experience with tragedy I have and even am learning that the way many people deal with conflict or something uncomfortable is to simply ignore it.  Ignoring something does not make it go away.  Problems do not simply disappear.  Some problems will be resolved or even eliminated through additional discovery, yet most often things become more complicated and problematic until attention is given to apply a particular solution.  A spill may dry up, but it will not go away until cleaned up; left alone, it may even cause a stain.  Dirt on the floor may be covered up or “swept under the rug,” but it will still be there until removed.  A mess in your room doesn’t go away if you simply want it to disappear or throw it all in a pile or in the closet.  Ignoring something that is out of order simply cannot make it become more ordered.

Certainly, we cannot know everything about all there is to know.  With technology rapidly expanding and communication with others increasing and becoming easier, we are realizing that there is simply not enough time to even try to know everything.  We are Not GOD and we should not try to act as if we are.  Our tendency is to be puffed up in pride with knowledge or to even absorb so much information that we become numb and fail to act on what we do know.  With knowledge comes responsibility.  When you choose to not live up to the knowledge you do have, you are essentially saying, “NO!  I want to be ignorant; I want to have an excuse.  This is a very dangerous place to be.

GOD Himself has Created this world and even the person that you are.  He has ordered His Creation, though now marred by sin, and wants us to lead well ordered lives.  He has revealed Himself and His desires in His Word—the Bible.  He does not want us to be ignorant and He has left us with the responsibility of “putting knowledge to work” (as the Virginia Tech slogan promotes).  “Willing ignorance” is worse than not knowing in the first place.  Consider what the Apostle Peter says in reference to people ignoring the evidences in Creation and the second coming of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:5-7):

“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

Please do not plead ignorance.  The ultimate Judgment day is also coming soon.  Today,

more than ever, Ignorance is NO Excuse!

After reflecting on my last article (“The DisCONNECT”) and noting the irony and tragedy of two famous celebrity deaths on a personal judgment day for me (my 40^th birthday 😀), I have been thinking a lot more about life and death (which is a separation or disconnect in itself).  The vast media coverage surrounding the life and death of pop star Michael Jackson especially reminds me of what a person must do to have an abundant life and be able to personally prevail through any tragedy or trouble.  It reminds me of what God has clearly revealed about our eternal destiny and life after death.  It is a good reminder at the core of all I am talking about in my articles and on this website:  What do you see when you look at the Man In The Mirror?

Are you troubled in your life?  Are you at peace?  Are you confident in your beliefs or are you double-minded?  Are you proud and vain when you look at your reflection or are you humble and modest?  Try looking at yourself in a mirror for more than a minute.  Consider what you see and what comes to mind.  More importantly, try looking at yourself in the mirror of the Bible—God’s Word.  You will see much more there.  You will be humbled and you may even learn to find healing.  You just have to look and not forget what you see!

Consider the powerful Truth in James 1:22-24:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

These verses describe a common human problem and one that becomes quite evident when reflecting on the American culture today—we are more often hearers and observers than doers.  A plethora of information and ideas come at us from all sides.  It is easy to get distracted and forget what we see.  It is easy to forget what you notice in the mirror that needs to change.  When you look into a mirror long enough you will likely find something you want to improve.  When you look at yourself in the mirror of the Word of God you will know there are things you must do to improve.  In order to change you must not forget what you see in the mirror; you must take action and become a doer (You may wish to also review my 04-29-08 Blog, “GROWTH …From Compassion to ACTION”).

When you look into the Word you also realize that we have an unseen enemy that seeks to delude us and blind our minds to what we see in this mirror (see 2 Corinthians 4:4 and even my 05-22-09 Blog, “Delusion”).  The solution to real change there is to recognize the Creator as reflected in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Consider 2 Corinthians 4:6:  “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Look to your Creator—the Person of Jesus Christ.  He paid the penalty for your sin by sacrificing His perfect human blood.  He proved His deity in rising from the dead.  He offers eternal life to all those who put their trust in Him.  He will save you and will even help that person you see in the mirror—healing from the inside out!

One thing that has become explicitly clear to me through my ongoing tragedy is the disconnect that exists in our society.  There was a disconnect in place that allowed for the 04-16-07 Tragedy.  Following this, the personal disconnect that I have experienced from friends and family has helped me better understand the disconnect that exists throughout our society on so many levels.  Many are personally disconnected from the whole person they are created to be.  This disconnect is illustrated through relationships and in various organizations.  I see a disconnect in many homes between spouses; it is often seen between parents and children.  The disconnect is seen in neighborhoods; it is reflected in the relationship between employers and employees.  It exists in our court and mental health systems.  It is evident in the government as well and many more are realizing this.  When is the last time you believe a political leader was really representing your interests?  It even exists in the churches between leaders and laity.  In order to learn to truly prevail through any tragedy and prevent future tragedy and even collapse, we must CONNECT the disconnect.

What we are missing is not only communication or service; we are missing a unity of goals and purpose.  People have so many different ideas and interests.  There is so much variety in life and so many different people with a myriad of perspectives.  Certainly, mankind has come to a better point of understanding the human condition and the equality of human life, yet prejudice and infighting continues.  This illustrates the problem.  We are focused on self-interest.  We look to promote our own understanding and way of thinking.  When we strongly push our own way, then others either accept it and follow or deny it and fight (you may wish to review my 03-27-09 Blog, “I Did It “My Way”).  When someone is a very good communicator and good at delivering their message, then people will follow them even when they may not fully agree and even if they are not right.  The question is then whether there will actually be a unity of goals and purpose.

Most people desire unity.  Unity improves relationships.  It allows more to be accomplished.  Two people working together will do more than one can alone.   In fact, the more people are unified, the more power and influence they will have.  If we could learn to love and serve others as much as we love and comfort ourselves, just think of what we could accomplish!  As it is, people are often distracted with their own self interest and way of thinking.  Our world suffers from THE original disconnect.

The solution is for each of us individually to stop “dis-ing” one another and be certain we ourselves are personally connected.  The problem is that we are born with an internal defect.  It is a virus of sorts.  We were born separated from God, not merely physically, but spiritually.  Mankind is born with a nature that wants its own way.  Often, especially as society allows, the way people go is further and further from their Creator and His revealed way.  Our problem is at the root spiritual.  We do not simply need to pursue spiritual things, though; we need spiritual healing.  God has made this possible.  He entered His Creation as a man and gave His life so that we could be healed and whole.  Consider 1 Peter 2:24 (the context is also revealing):

“[Christ] who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed.”

If you do not accept Jesus as your substitute you will remain separated from God.  In as much as you wander from the plan and purposes of The Creator as revealed in His inspired Word, to that extent you will remain disconnected.  Learn to CONNECT or you will be DISconnected!

In a world enamored with political correctness and often overwhelmed with litigation, a particular problem arises:  How do you go about APOLOGIZING to keep relationships in good standing?  When someone says or does something that is offensive to another, a relationship is hindered.  The result is that people and groups are divided until the ones offended are somehow satisfied.  Typically, an apology is given and then there is a waiting time to see if it is accepted or not.  This whole process needs correcting.  Even when an apology is accepted and forgiveness is granted, it takes extra effort to bring healing and true reconciliation.  In fact, you need to think more about all of this to better understand what I am saying.  This article today is an Apologia for the faith I believe and the truth that needs to be learned about Apologizing, Forgiveness and Reconciliation.

Apologizing is a very incomplete, misunderstood and often ineffective practice.  This is readily illustrated in our society with weekly and even daily examples.  Consider the recent exchange between Comedian David Letterman and Governor Sarah Palin.  Think about the many examples in entertainment or athletics, such as with former Virginia Tech star Michael Vick and his dog fighting escapades.  What about Virginia Tech President Charles Steger and other VT Administration or Government workers needing to apologize for 04-16-07?  Even the current U.S. President Barack Obama feels the need to apologize to people around the world for what he sees as mistakes in America’s practices.  Since there is no uniform understanding or agreement as to what constitutes the need for or even what a legitimate apology is, confusion and lack of results or resolution abounds.  Relationships often remain divided or less fulfilling that desired.

To get to the heart of this, as with any issue or concept, it is helpful to learn the original meaning of a word.  Words certainly change meaning depending upon usage, yet the truth of meanings is still there.  To apologize is first, “to give a formal justification.”  It is “making a defense” or even “an excuse” for what was said or done.  This basic, root definition of the word has been so misunderstood that apologizing has even come to mean “an expression of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret.”  Either way, the problem with “apologizing” still exists:  When the one offending responds of their own choice or more often after pressure from others (apologizes), then the one offended responds by deciding whether or not to “accept the apology.”  The one offended has to be satisfied with what the one apologizing says or does.  This is an ineffective process; it is often not even possible, since the offense is still felt.  The offender has to express enough regret or seem sorry enough or even completely change their stated opinion, in order to satisfy the offended and help dismiss criticism.  More is needed!  Acknowledging an offense is a good first step (even if the motives may be bad).  We all should regularly do this in serving others.

Forgiveness is another matter.  Forgiveness is when one gives up their offense.  It is not apathy, but instead is an act that must be understood as an ongoing promise, else it loses all meaning.  Forgiveness is the better and the biblical way.  I do not have room to elaborate here, so you may wish to look over my 04-28-09 Blog, “LEARN To Forgive!”  The best and even necessary end when there is apologizing and even forgiveness is for there to also be Reconciliation.  That takes a conscious effort—to do things to continue and grow in the relationship, despite past offenses or disagreements.

The believer in Jesus Christ has the best understanding available in the Bible and should be modeling this in his or her life!  Jesus Christ offers forgiveness and demands that His followers, who have found true forgiveness in Him, be willing to forgive others and be sensitive enough to see when they need to ask forgiveness for their own actions.  The more excellent way of loving (see 1 Corinthians 12:31ff), to which all Christians are called, is that of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 [esp. 5:18]).

Mind your own business!  That’s none of your business!  How often we hear a comment like this when someone says or does something that seems a little too personal.  The circumstances in my own life and what I know about situations with others brings me to write about this today.  I believe that a misunderstanding of this very thing is one of the greatest problems that we have today in our society!  Learning the truth about “minding your own business” is also one of the most important lessons you will ever learn.  It will help bring you peace.  It will improve every relationship in your life.  It will give you a sense of purpose and meaning.  It would help fix the problems in our Country and would help Virginia Tech live up to its own motto.  If we had better understood and applied the truth here, then 04-16-07 would have never happened.

Each of us is naturally curious.  From the moment we are born until the moment we die we want to know about what is happening with others.  This is why gossip is such a problem.  This is why those tabloids sell and can stay in business and what drives pop culture.  That is why personal stories are so interesting to many and what drives the reality shows.  We do make it our business to be involved to varying degrees in the lives of others and even form opinions about them accordingly.  Whether you think it is good or bad it is the way that we all are and a reality that you cannot escape.  So, what is the proper way to understand what is and is not our business?

The LORD God makes this clear in Scripture.  From the very beginning, we see the problem and excuse with Cain’s question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Jesus answered the proud lawyer’s question: “Who is my neighbor?” and taught how we should relate to others (c.f. Luke 10:29-37).  He explained how important serving others is and even in little, ordinary ways (see the context and Matthew 25:35-40).  “Serve One Another” is a key Biblical theme and the seventh in my “Top Ten Lessons” (tabbed above) and within many of my articles.  Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) is even the motto for Virginia Tech and many other Universities and groups.  To serve and love another, you must get involved to some extent in “their business.”  It is not our job to down others or spread bad things about them.  It is our business to make others more successful in life and help them come to know the One who gives and offers eternal life!

Those professing to follow Jesus Christ have a particular responsibility here and had best learn to have the mindset that He had:  Consider Philippians 2:4-5:

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus….”

In other words, we are actually called to mind other people’s business!  How else can we help and serve them?  The problem comes (which is what often brings out that statement) when someone tries to force control over another and takes the place of God in their life.  Ultimately, each of us will give an account of himself to the LORD.  God is the Judge of our actions and He has established human authorities to help there as well (my book will particularly explain this).

You certainly will not agree with everyone around you, but your service toward them cannot even be based on that.  It must be based on the One Who gives to us, even as sinners.  Everyone will receive some degree of help or service, particularly when it is offered with the mindset of Jesus Christ.  Learn to mind other people’s business and serve them in whatever ways you can.