Mark Twain was asked, so the story goes, if he was concerned about things in the Bible that he didn’t understand. His reply was “I’m more concerned about the things I understand, but am not living up to.”

Don’t know if the famous humorist was a Christian, but his answer was right on the money. We too should be concerned about the truth as we are led into it by the Spirit. It’s vitally important that we are, for God holds us accountable for what we do know, understand and believe.

I’m thinking about this in relation to deceased Christians; especially those relatives and friends of ours who never had presented to them some of the truths that we’ve learned. Are they lost because of that? No; not if they loved God and were loyal to Him; not if they lived in accordance to the light they received.

That’s what’s so encouraging and comforting when thinking about their fate. We know that God judges from within His mercy; that in times of ignorance, He winks (Acts 17: 30). Fairly, He looks at and takes into account the sincerity and intentions of the heart.

I love this passage in Proverbs 24: 12: If you say, “See we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?

Praise God for His loving kindness.