I. God Notices Neglect
A. When ancient Israel confused Worshiped and worshiper, God found the thoughtless neglect wearisome. “But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.” (Isaiah 43:22-24)
B. Ignorance of God and what He wants is functional atheism. “For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” (Jeremiah 4:22)
C. Neglecting God and what He requires amounts to picking a quarrel with Him. “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” (Hosea 4:1) “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)
D. Forgetfulness of God is abnormal in a true believer.; the behavior is provocative. “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” (Jeremiah 2:32)
E. Avoid being provocative; to live intentionally for God is the safe way to live. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)
F. The safe way to live is also the most successful way to live. “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
II. God Notices Bad Attitudes
A. Some things about God are so obvious that ignorance of them is insulting; God cannot be the product of His creatures. “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” (Acts 17:23) “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” (Acts 17:29)
B. If God is God, then representing Him as if He were one of His creatures inherently misrepresents Him. “To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” (Isaiah 40:18)
C. Assuming that God is marred with human flaws ignores His holiness and leads people to take dangerous and unnecessary risks with their souls. “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” (Psalm 50:21 )
D. God also notices and appreciates good attitudes. “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” (Proverbs 3:7-12)
III. Bad Theology Compounds Problems
A. God has revealed what He wants people to know about Him and what He wants them to do; neglecting these things to focus on things God keeps to Himself inevitably causes problems. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)
B. Jesus made a point of telling His disciples that some things were none of their business. “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:7 )
C. Theology which conforms to the spirit of the age produces unnatural loves which leave no room for the love of God. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16) “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Colossians 3:5)
D. Be cautious about letting ideas take root; not all theology is good theology. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)
E. Avoid heretics like contagious diseases. “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;” (Titus 3:10) “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” (Proverbs 1:10)
F. Organize the mind around what is virtuous and productive so that there is no room for what is not positive and productive spiritually. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
