For us to please God, we need to have the right attitude toward Him and His word. We also need to have the proper information which he has provided to us. Israel was taken into captivity because they became ignorant of God's will. "Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge" (Isa. 5:13). They had reached that point because they had developed the wrong attitude toward God and His word. "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord" (Jer. 8:12).
Jesus taught the same principal about acceptable worship and showed that it must be rendered in spirit (the right motive) and in truth (the right information) (John 4:24). Paul showed that if one possessed spiritual gifts and used them without love (the right attitude) it was not profitable (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Paul said that in the gospel age, that which avails is faith (which is based on the right information), which works by love (the right attitude) (Gal 5:6). Also, he said, "Speaking the truth (the right information) in love" (the right attitude) (Eph. 4:15). While attitudes are very important, we must not minimize the fact that WE MUST HAVE THE TRUTH AS IT IS REVEALED IN THE BIBLE. No amount of sincerity and good intentions can compensate for a lack of truth. In this matter there are four possible situations:
1. The wrong attitude and the wrong information.
There are many people who are in error because they do not want to hear or know the truth and who have voluntarily closed their eyes and stopped their ears (Matt. 13:14,15; John 7:17; 3:20). Some people are not only ignorant of the truth but are very proud of that ignorance. They don't seem to care what the Bible says on any given subject. They don't want to be confused with the facts. These people cannot be saved unless they change their attitude.
2. The wrong attitude but the right information.
This was the situation with every case in the New Testament where the truth was preached but rejected by those who heard it. The rich young ruler learned the right information, but he prized his wealth more than the truth (Matt. 19:16-22). In Acts 7, Stephen's audience learned the truth but killed the preacher because their attitude was wrong. All people today who have access to the Bible have the right information. If they choose not to learn the truth taught in the scriptures, they have the wrong attitude.
3. The right attitude but the wrong information.
Every person converted in the Bible had the right attitude but the wrong information prior to their conversion. Here were people who wanted to do right but had not been taught the truth. When they learned the truth they readily accepted it because their hearts were right. Saul of Tarsus was ready to do whatever God wanted him to do (Acts 23:1). Cornelius wanted to "hear all things commanded thee of God" (Acts 10:33). The jailer (Acts 16) was baptized "the same hour of the night" when the gospel was preached to him. His attitude was right. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all people had the attitude manifested by these men?
4. The right attitude and the right information.
If we stand before God in judgment having either the wrong attitude or the wrong information, we will be lost. Let each of us examine our own heart to determine our attitude, and then let us keep our minds open and receptive to divine truth. Only in this way can we please God. WE MUST ALL BE CERTAIN THAT WE ARE IN THIS GROUP. In the United States, Bibles are so readily available that if we are able to read, we have the right information available.
Think now of Saul of Tarsus and Cornelius. Their stories would have been different if they had been limited to the religious teachings of their parents. There is no indication that they were eager to show disrespect for their parents, or that they did show such disrespect. The men that they became would be an honor to any worthy father. If these two happy converts' parents were still living, they would now have an opportunity to learn the truth that can make men free. Cornelius had kinsmen and friends ready to hear Simon Peter teach the truth (Acts 10:24). Saul, also called Paul, visited Tarsus, his home town (Acts 9:30). If his parents were alive we may be sure that they heard the wonderful words of life. Lydia and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16), the Ethiopian nobleman (Acts 8), and many others, obeyed the gospel when they heard it. They knew, and we all should know, that our first allegiance is to God. The big question concerns the will of God. WHAT IS HIS WILL?