“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 17:10).

A few years ago at a high school basketball game, one of my seventh grade students came up to me at half-time with a hot dog in each hand. Half of one was already in her mouth, and she was chewing it with a smile on her face. To tease her I said, “Do you have any idea what goes into making a hot dog?”

“No,” she said. “What?”

“Ah. Ignorance is bliss,” I said.

“What does that mean?” she said.

“You just explained it.”

She walked away perplexed.

There are things in this world that young people don’t need to know—things that eventually will become evident. It’s hard being a parent. There are indeed 230 calories in a half-cup of ice cream.

On the other hand, there are things young Christians can’t afford not to know. How did God create me and bring me to faith? What am I supposed to do with my life? How am I going to get to heaven? The answers to these questions are found in the Scriptures. The fact you are reading this article leads me to believe that you already know the answers to these questions.

It’s more than likely that you have been reared by Christian parents, brought to faith through the miracle of baptism and received Biblical instruction from Christian pastors or teachers. They are fulfilling a Biblical directive to perpetuate the kingdom of Jesus Christ here on this earth. They are also preparing you for eternity. Your parents and your pastors and teachers did not want you to grow up ignorant of the truths of the Bible.

That’s a good thing, because on the Day of Judgment, ignorance will not be an acceptable excuse for being unprepared to meet your Maker. I know that sounds unfair, but it’s true. Furthermore, it places a responsibility on you as a young Christian to do your part to bring the truths of the Bible to others.

In Romans chapter 10, Paul the Apostle wrote, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." He anticipated the question that this statement might bring out. “What if someone doesn’t know of the Lord? Then what?”

Paul continued by saying: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” In essence, he was telling his readers that they were to bring this message to others.

Ignorance is bliss…in some cases. When it comes to your spiritual life, ignorance is dangerous. Your Savior wants you to share eternity in heaven with Him one day. He has already done everything necessary to make that possible. Since faith comes from hearing the message, get ready to share that message with others!

Daniel Madson is a former school teacher and a member of Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.