For my people are foolish; they know Me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding.

Jeremiah 4:22, ESV

Do you know who you are? At first it might seem to be a ridiculous question, but when you dig a little deeper you might find that it is not. One of the great truths that we discover as we go through life is that in order to know where we are going, we first have to know where we come from. And far too many of us have no clue!

I enjoy reading all sorts of material, from a good mystery to an accurate history. I suppose that I have read thousands of books over my lifetime, but there are two documents that are head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, the first is head and shoulders above the second, but both are vital, for they answer the important question of where we came from. Knowing that, I cannot only know where I am now, but also where I am going. In other words, these two documents tell me not only who I am, but even more important, who I am expected to be.

The first book - the one that shines above all the rest - is obviously the Bible. Without a firm and serviceable understanding of God's Word, I cannot even function in life. The first reason is that the Bible reveals to us Who God is. Without that knowledge, God considers us nothing more than stupid children who have no understanding. You don't believe that? Re-read the verse above, within its full context, and I believe you will come to the same conclusion.

My Dad told me that he had a professor in college who loved the following quotation: "He knows not, but he knows not that he knows not. Pity him, for he is a freshman." The idea that the teacher was passing along was that the novice in learning usually does not understand how little he really knows. While this is truer in some areas more than others, it is absolutely true in God's Word. Without a working knowledge of it, we are doomed to a life without understanding. Fail to correct this fatal flaw, and it will result in spiritual death.

The second most important document in my mind, at least for citizens of the United States, is the Constitution. Fail to familiarize yourself with this document and you will become a second class citizen. Worse than that, you will eventually become a slave. So, too, will your children!

Why even talk about these things? I believe you can see how obvious the need to do so is or you probably wouldn't still be reading. But for those who do fail to see the importance of a thorough understanding of the Bible and the Constitution, then here it is: Failure to know God, renders you a foolish and stupid person who has no understanding. This is not my conclusion. It is God's! So job one for you and mr is to know God by reading His Word. And for those who reside in America, while clearly not on the same level as coming to know Who God is, we still have to have an understanding of the principles contained in our foundational document, the Constitution. Without a full awareness of the concepts contained therein, a person will be in danger of becoming a slave.

So, let me ask again: "Do you know who you are?" Until you know God, you will neither know that nor what you are meant to become. And though of a clearly inferior level, but nevertheless critical to us all, is a knowledge of the Constitution. Until you know that, you will never understand what it means to be a citizen of the United States, and therefore what privileges you are forfeiting because of your ignorance.

One last thing: If you can only do one, read the Bible on a daily basis. It will reveal who God is and, therefore, who He expects you to be. Failing that, all of the rest of the knowledge in the world will not help you. Achieving that, you can then move on to educating yourself in other vital areas such as the responsibilities and privileges of a U. S. citizen. Failing that, you will doom all future generations to a servitude under those unscrupulous individuals who seek to rule over you. 

So, who are we anyway? We are children of God! We cannot afford to be without knowledge of our responsibilities as his children or we will surely become enslaved. First, to unscrupulous people. But far more consequential than this, we will eventually become slaves to the devil. And, we cannot survive that! 

Better find out who you are before it's too late! It begins with finding out Who God is.