You May Cross-Examine The Witness

Some youth today have encoded one universal reply to any tough question: “I don’t know.” For one, it stops further questioning. “I don’t know” says it all for them. Period. End of story.

For another, it also somehow lightens the burden for them if responsibility over something, some inappropriate language or unacceptable behavior, is even hinted.

“Would you like it if somebody also cusses at you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Would you like it if somebody is also rude to you?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t know” absolves them!

Very early on in my life, though, when I was just getting more aware of the world around me, I was taught by elders that cared for me something that even to this day I know applies wherever I go that the rule of law is faithfully observed: Ignorance of the law excuses no one. Just because “I don’t know” does not make me any less liable for any wrongdoing.

Now, regardless of what we know or don't know, not to believe in God is wrong. Not to believe invites consequences God has reserved for those who reject him.

It takes more faith not to believe in God than it takes to believe. That is because, to borrow from legalese, of the preponderance of the evidence. There is just no way anyone can say, “I don’t know”:

But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish of the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.
Does not the ear test words
as the tongue tastes food?
(Job 12:7-11)

Listening to some of man’s greatest thinkers, citing their so-called research and high-tech methodologies, one only really gets the sense of how laboriously they attempt to justify their unbelief. Volumes of their technical writing and journals they pass for science all become mute when confronted by a simple song from the Word of God:

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
(Psalm 8:3)

Wickedness. That’s what God calls it. Suppression of the truth. Godlessness which has no excuse:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
(Romans 1:18-20)

All of creation testify to the truth and fact of God. Jesus Christ was referring to this when, as the Pharisees attempted to silence the crowd of disciples that began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen, he pointed out:

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
(Luke 19:40)

What a gracious God. The cross that Jesus Christ endured tells us about the Father’s wrath which was poured upon the Son, saving sinners, all that would believe, from the horrendous punishment they truly deserve.

It is the same cross that holds back the terrible judgment which is the defiant unbeliever’s due. In the Father’s desire that not all perish, the unbelieving is allowed to question God’s witnesses, his Creation, his Word, his Church.

On the day of judgment, it will be revealed. No one may say, “I don’t know.” With respect to knowing God, no one is truly ignorant.