"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" 1 Corinthians 1:18.
One of the things we don't like is to look or be made to look foolish. It can be downright embarrassing. Our pride and reputation take a hit when we are deemed fools. It frightens us. To be considered a fool means to be less of a person, of lower stature. To be mocked or ostracized by a group and left on the sidelines. No one wants to be the fool.
When you think about the different stories of God and relating it to others, it seems almost foolish to believe. They are so fantastic and extraordinary that a sane person could scoff at it as pure fiction. Even the ministry of Jesus has its moments where you feel crazy for even believing it. Almost an idea that there was a better way or one more believable.
God comes to Earth in human form. Does not establish an earthly kingdom (which was expected in a different way). He dies for our sins like a criminal. He talks about the first being the last, last being first, dying to oneself, loving our enemies, and turning the other cheek. Also, talks a lot about sacrifice.
All of this doesn't mesh with people's expectations, especially with the messages the world sends out. God tends to surprise us daily in our lives. Sometimes, it seems too good to be true. Something too foolish to believe, or be seen as fools for believing it. I wonder if a lot of us hesitate to evangelize because even we can't wrap our heads around us. And, instead of risking looking foolish, perhaps, we remain silent. I mean, we wouldn't want to look like fools to others, would we?
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" 1 Corinthians 1:27.
Foolishness is mentioned many times in the Bible. Mostly as an admonishment to others. People are called foolish all over the place, sometimes by Jesus. The foolish man builds his house on sand, rather than a firm foundation. Proverbs teems with comments regarding foolish people. There is a difference between being a fool and appearing foolish to the world when serving God.
Being foolish is not exactly an admirable quality in this world. Doesn't bring the right kind of fame and fortune. Does not get people to look up to you if you are foolish. Rather, a pretty embarrassing quality to have.
To be honest, it is not our own wisdom that is going to get us anywhere. Our own intelligence is not enough to truly fathom God. We get glimpses, but our minds cannot understand the totality that is God. Thus, learning and our own wisdom will not get us any closer to God. I consider myself pretty book smart, but I cannot even scratch the surface of God no matter how much I learn and try on my own.
The message of God and the cross runs counter to what the world says is wise. The wold says the wise course of action is to look out for oneself. The message of the Bible says to serve others. Jesus shows this when he washes the feet of his disciples. Feet that had been walking on dirty ground all day. Disgusting, nasty, smelly feet. Jesus showed this as an example of what true servanthood is. If He was willing to do this, who are we to say otherwise? The world says this act is beneath us.
The world tells us (and you see this in politics) to despise your enemies or people who do not agree with you. Jesus says to love your enemies. Does not mean to love what they do or to be their whipping post. It's easy to love your friends and those who think like you. I know, its much easier for me on that account. Quite another to love those who stand against you or believe something different from you. Doesn't make sense in this world. Yet, God sent his Son to die for those even against Him. Just like we have in the past.
The world screams of self-worth. Of what our value is in this world. The right wealth, the right clothes, the right job, the right car. All of these can be considered wise and successful in this world. Amassing the most wealth and possessions is the goal. Being the most popular person and achieving fame can be the goal. That is how success is counted in this world. Sadly, as the saying goes you can't take it with you. Paul counts all his rewards in life as mere trash in comparison to his salvation in Jesus. We are called to give up our lives for others. That runs counter intuitive to what the world says. People might say that's a foolish thing to believe.
God calls to sacrifice, to place others before ourselves. That the kingdom is not here on Earth, but in Heaven. The focus is not on the material, but the eternal. That the adulation of millions is meaningless if we are not following God. Love transcends whether we like someone or not. Serving others is of great blessing to both parties.
The world calls it foolish, but God calls it our salvation. We can stand to be God's fools here in this world. Because, God doesn't see us as foolish when we are doing His will.
One of the things we don't like is to look or be made to look foolish. It can be downright embarrassing. Our pride and reputation take a hit when we are deemed fools. It frightens us. To be considered a fool means to be less of a person, of lower stature. To be mocked or ostracized by a group and left on the sidelines. No one wants to be the fool.
When you think about the different stories of God and relating it to others, it seems almost foolish to believe. They are so fantastic and extraordinary that a sane person could scoff at it as pure fiction. Even the ministry of Jesus has its moments where you feel crazy for even believing it. Almost an idea that there was a better way or one more believable.
God comes to Earth in human form. Does not establish an earthly kingdom (which was expected in a different way). He dies for our sins like a criminal. He talks about the first being the last, last being first, dying to oneself, loving our enemies, and turning the other cheek. Also, talks a lot about sacrifice.
All of this doesn't mesh with people's expectations, especially with the messages the world sends out. God tends to surprise us daily in our lives. Sometimes, it seems too good to be true. Something too foolish to believe, or be seen as fools for believing it. I wonder if a lot of us hesitate to evangelize because even we can't wrap our heads around us. And, instead of risking looking foolish, perhaps, we remain silent. I mean, we wouldn't want to look like fools to others, would we?
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" 1 Corinthians 1:27.
Foolishness is mentioned many times in the Bible. Mostly as an admonishment to others. People are called foolish all over the place, sometimes by Jesus. The foolish man builds his house on sand, rather than a firm foundation. Proverbs teems with comments regarding foolish people. There is a difference between being a fool and appearing foolish to the world when serving God.
Being foolish is not exactly an admirable quality in this world. Doesn't bring the right kind of fame and fortune. Does not get people to look up to you if you are foolish. Rather, a pretty embarrassing quality to have.
To be honest, it is not our own wisdom that is going to get us anywhere. Our own intelligence is not enough to truly fathom God. We get glimpses, but our minds cannot understand the totality that is God. Thus, learning and our own wisdom will not get us any closer to God. I consider myself pretty book smart, but I cannot even scratch the surface of God no matter how much I learn and try on my own.
The message of God and the cross runs counter to what the world says is wise. The wold says the wise course of action is to look out for oneself. The message of the Bible says to serve others. Jesus shows this when he washes the feet of his disciples. Feet that had been walking on dirty ground all day. Disgusting, nasty, smelly feet. Jesus showed this as an example of what true servanthood is. If He was willing to do this, who are we to say otherwise? The world says this act is beneath us.
The world tells us (and you see this in politics) to despise your enemies or people who do not agree with you. Jesus says to love your enemies. Does not mean to love what they do or to be their whipping post. It's easy to love your friends and those who think like you. I know, its much easier for me on that account. Quite another to love those who stand against you or believe something different from you. Doesn't make sense in this world. Yet, God sent his Son to die for those even against Him. Just like we have in the past.
The world screams of self-worth. Of what our value is in this world. The right wealth, the right clothes, the right job, the right car. All of these can be considered wise and successful in this world. Amassing the most wealth and possessions is the goal. Being the most popular person and achieving fame can be the goal. That is how success is counted in this world. Sadly, as the saying goes you can't take it with you. Paul counts all his rewards in life as mere trash in comparison to his salvation in Jesus. We are called to give up our lives for others. That runs counter intuitive to what the world says. People might say that's a foolish thing to believe.
God calls to sacrifice, to place others before ourselves. That the kingdom is not here on Earth, but in Heaven. The focus is not on the material, but the eternal. That the adulation of millions is meaningless if we are not following God. Love transcends whether we like someone or not. Serving others is of great blessing to both parties.
The world calls it foolish, but God calls it our salvation. We can stand to be God's fools here in this world. Because, God doesn't see us as foolish when we are doing His will.
Comments
Post a Comment