THE “PRICE” OF NOT KNOWING
- Eld. Roberto Washington
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
LORD, WILL YOU KNOW ME? WILL YOU REMEMBER ME?**
Life is full of moments when we excuse ourselves with three simple words: “I don’t know.”
Sometimes it works—sometimes it softens consequences, avoids confrontation, or buys time. But when it comes to our eternal standing before God, ignorance is not an excuse—nor is it a defense. Scripture shows us that not knowing Christ, not hearing His voice, and not following His will carries a cost far too great to ignore.
As I was driving to work, stuck in heavy bumper‑to‑bumper traffic, I noticed a bumper sticker that captured this truth powerfully:
NO JESUS… NO PEACE KNOW JESUS… KNOW PEACE
A simple play on words—but a
reality.
“I Never Knew You”: The Most Terrifying Words in Scripture
Matthew 7:21–23
These verses remind us that religious activity is not the same as relationship. Saying “Lord, Lord” is not the same as living in obedience to Him. Even those who prophesied, cast out devils, and did “wonderful works” heard the chilling words:
“I never knew you: depart from me…”
This is the price of not knowing—and of not being known.
“Lord, Remember Me” — The Cry That Changed Eternity
Luke 23:39–43
One thief mocked Jesus. The other thief knew something essential:
He knew his guilt.
He knew Jesus’ innocence.
He knew Jesus was King.
And he knew enough to cry out: “Lord, remember me…”
And Jesus replied:
“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
One moment of faith… one cry of recognition… one request to be remembered.
It wasn’t WHAT the thief knew—it was WHO he knew.
“My Sheep Hear My Voice”
John 10:24–30
Jesus made the distinction clear:
His sheep LISTEN.
His sheep FOLLOW.
His sheep are KNOWN BY HIM.
Those who reject Him or refuse to believe are simply… “not my sheep.”
This is not about intelligence. Not about education. Not about background.
This is about relationship, faith, and obedience.
The Meaning of Ignorance
Ignorance is not just “not knowing”—it has depth:
Involuntary ignorance — not capable of knowing.
Voluntary ignorance — not willing to know.
Scripture warns repeatedly of the second kind—those who choose not to know, not to believe, or not to obey.
Paul warned of this in 2 Peter 3:5:
“They willingly are ignorant…”
God does not condemn the uninformed—He condemns the unwilling.
Understanding the Dispensations
Throughout Scripture, God deals with humanity in specific periods—dispensations—each carrying:
God’s unique revelation (previously unknown fact)
Human responsibility
Human failure
God’s judgment
God’s mercy
A future promise
In each dispensation, mankind failed because of disobedience, pride, unbelief, or willful ignorance. From the garden of Eden to the kingdom age, one truth remains:
Ignorance of God is deadly. Faith in God is life‑giving.
NO JESUS… NO PEACE KNOW JESUS… KNOW PEACE
Become Like Little Children
Matthew 18:1–4
When the disciples asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus didn’t choose a scholar, a leader, or a prophet. He chose a child.
Why?
Because children:
Depend
Trust
Listen
Learn
Believe
Not knowing everything is not the problem—Refusing to learn from God is.
Those in Christ Receive the Benefits of Christ
Hebrews 10:15–25
Through Christ we receive:
A new covenant
God’s law written on our hearts
Total forgiveness
Direct access to God
A cleansed conscience
A sincere and confident faith
Hope anchored in His faithfulness
And because He remembers our sins no more, we can be confident He will remember US.
God Wants Us to Know — Not to Be Ignorant
Repeatedly, Scripture says:
“Be not ignorant” (1 Thess. 4:13)
“Be not ignorant of this one thing” (2 Peter 3:8)
“Times of ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30)
God desires that all come to repentance—not by accident, not by confusion, not by superstition, but by knowing the truth.
The Day of the Lord Is Coming
2 Peter 3:1–10
Scoffers may mock, deny, or dismiss God’s promise, but the Word is clear:
God is patient, not slow.
God is merciful, not absent.
Judgment is coming, suddenly and surely.
Ignorance is no shield against His return.
A Final Warning and a Final Promise
Revelation 21:7–8
Two groups are listed:
Those who overcome — they inherit all things.
Those who reject God — they face the second death.
The difference?
What (and WHO) they chose to know.
CONCLUSION: WILL THE LORD REMEMBER YOU?
The question is not:
Did you go to church?
Did you sing in the choir?
Did you know Scripture verses?
The question is:
Does Christ KNOW you? Do you KNOW Him? Will He REMEMBER you in His kingdom?
The price of not knowing is too high. The reward of knowing Christ is eternal.
Do you desire prayer?
Do you desire salvation?
If you want to know Christ—and be known by Him—today is the day.
“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:2
I can help you with a prayer, Scripture guidance, or steps to salvation—just let me know how you’d like to continue.
“3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” - John 3: 3-5
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