The Flaws in Ignorance's Beliefs

Ignorance leaned forward. “Then how,” he pressed, “can I discern the true nature of my thoughts and actions? What defines good thoughts and a life aligned with God’s will?”

Christian stroked his beard thoughtfully. “There are many kinds of good thoughts—some about ourselves, some about God, some about Christ, and others about different things."

"Well, what are good thoughts about ourselves?" asked Ignorance.

"Good thoughts are those that align with the Word of God," said Christian, "and that is when we judge ourselves as the Word of God does. To put it simply, the Bible says that in our natural state, 'There is none righteous, none who do good.' (Rom 3v10) It also says, 'Every imagination of the heart is only evil, continually,' (Gen 6v5) and 'The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth.' (Gen 8v21) So, when we think of ourselves in this way, our thoughts are good because they match what God's Word says."

Ignorance scoffed. “I refuse to believe that my heart is that bad!"

"Then you've never had a single good thought about yourself in your entire life!” Christian retorted. “But let me continue. Just as the Word of God judges our hearts, it also judges our actions. When our thoughts about both our hearts and our actions match what the Word says, only then are they good, because they align with God's truth."

Ignorance looked puzzled. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"The Bible says that man's ways are crooked, perverse, and simply not good,” explained Christian. “It says that no one seeks after God, and all have turned away from Him. When someone genuinely sees their ways like this, with a humbled heart, then their thoughts align with the judgment of the Word of God."

"Alright then,” said Ignorance, “what are good thoughts about God then?"

"The same principle applies,” said Christian. “Our thoughts of God must agree with what the Bible teaches about Him. When we think about His nature and attributes as the Word describes, then our thoughts are good. But to discuss that fully would take more time than we have now.

“What  I can say is that when we think about God in relation to ourselves, we have right thoughts of Him when we understand that He knows us better than we know ourselves. He can see sin in us even when we don't see it. He knows our innermost thoughts, and our hearts are fully exposed before His eyes. We must also realize that even our best righteousness is like filth to Him, and because of that, we can’t stand before Him with any sense of pride or confidence in our own actions, no matter how good we think they are."

Ignorance stiffened, a sulky pout on his face. "Do you think I’m foolish enough to believe that God can’t see beyond what I can? Or that I would approach Him with pride in my good works?"

Christian raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Well, how do you see it then?" he asked.

“To put it simply,” said Ignorance, “I believe I must have faith in Christ for my justification."

Christian frowned. "But how can you have faith in Christ when you don’t even recognize your need for Him? You don’t see your own sins, whether original sin or actual! You think so highly of yourself and your good deeds that you don’t see why you need Christ’s righteousness to make you right before God. So how can you truly say you believe in Him?"

Ignorance crossed his arms defiantly. "My beliefs are just fine, regardless of what you’ve said.”

"Then what exactly do you believe?" Christian pressed.

"I believe Christ died for sinners,” said Ignorance, “and that I’ll be justified before God, not by the curse of sin, but because He graciously accepts my obedience to His law. To put it another way, Christ makes my good deeds acceptable to God through His merits, and by that, I’ll be justified."

Christian took a deep breath. “Let me respond to this ‘statement of faith,’” he said.

“One, your faith is based on fantasy, as it’s not described anywhere in the Word of God.

“Two, your faith is false because it removes justification from the personal righteousness of Christ and shifts it onto your own works.

“Three, this faith doesn’t make Christ the justifier of your person but of your actions, and claims you are justified because of your actions, which is untrue.

“Therefore, your faith is deceptive and will leave you under God’s wrath on Judgment Day. True justifying faith recognizes the soul’s condition under the law and seeks refuge in Christ’s righteousness. His righteousness is not an act of grace that simply makes your obedience acceptable to God; rather, it’s His personal obedience to the law, in both His actions and sufferings, fulfilling what the law required from us. True faith accepts this righteousness and, being covered by it, the soul is presented spotless before God, acquitted from condemnation.”

“What!” cried Ignorance. “Are you saying we should trust in what Christ did personally, without any work from us? That would open the door to indulgence and let us live however we want! What difference would it make how we live if Christ’s personal righteousness justifies us from everything when we believe?”

Christian shook his head, smiling softly. “Your name is Ignorance,” he said, “and as your name is, so are you. Your answer proves my point. You’re ignorant of what justifying righteousness truly is, and equally ignorant of how to secure your soul through faith in it from God’s wrath. You also misunderstand the true effect of saving faith in Christ’s righteousness—it turns the heart to God, making you love His name, His Word, His ways, and His people. It’s not at all what you ignorantly believe it to be.”

Then Hopeful joined in the conversation. "Ignorance, has God ever revealed Christ to your heart?" he asked intently.

"What!” Ignorance cried, shooting a disdainful look at the young man. “You're one of those who talk about revelations? I think everything you and your kind say is just nonsense from your confused minds!"

"Sir,” replied Hopeful, “Christ is so hidden from the natural understanding of men that He can only be truly known if God the Father reveals Him!"

"That's your opinion, not mine!” Ignorance snorted. “My beliefs are just as good as yours, though I don’t fill my head with such foolish ideas."

"Let me add something here,” said Christian. “You shouldn’t speak so lightly on this matter. I will confidently say, just as my friend Hopeful did, that no one can know Jesus Christ without the Father revealing Him.

"Furthermore, the faith by which a soul truly grasps Christ must be created by the overwhelming power of God. (Matt 11v27; 1 Cor 12v7) Poor Ignorance, I can see that you don’t understand how this faith works in your own soul. So wake up, recognize your own desperate need, and run to the Lord Jesus! Only through His divine righteousness can you escape condemnation."