Become Foolish

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Become Foolish

When the world looks  at Christians,  they usually think of them  as a bunch of fools — fools who trust  in the sacrificial blood of Jesus  to wash away  all their sins  and then to actually freely grant them entrance  into heaven.     The world would much rather pride itself  upon its self-righteousness  and boldly demand entrance  into heaven  for whatever  “good deeds”  it managed  to squeeze into its self-centered living.

They think of it as  “positive thinking”  and the  “self-assertion”  needed  in this competitive world.     The world feels it is demeaning  of our  “high standing”  to have to accept  a free gift  of salvation — imagining they can earn their way  into heaven.

There is a stark difference  between this worldly thinking  and Christian thinking — it’s called pride.     Pride looks self-confident and successful  in this world,  but God will destroy it all  in the end.     As Proverbs 16:18  says,

Pride goes  before destruction,    
And a haughty spirit  before stumbling.

All of this means  that God’s children need  to do some straight thinking  as we make our way  through this world.     We need  to question the source  of  every thought pattern,  the “whys”  and  “wherefores”  of the teachings we see  around us.     We need to ask God  for His help  in teaching us  His way — no matter what the world  shamelessly proclaims.     We need  to remember  that we are God’s children  and we need  to go to Him  for help.

All by ourselves,  we don’t have the wisdom we need — and we should not pretend  that we do have the wisdom needed  to live for our Savior.     Paul has this to say  about worldly wisdom  in 1 Corinthians 3:18-20,

Let no man deceive himself.     If any man among you thinks  that he is wise  in this age,  let him  become foolish  that he may  become wise.    

For the wisdom  of this world  is foolishness  before God.     For it is written,  “He is the one  who catches the wise  in their craftiness”;

and again,  “The LORD knows the reasonings  of the wise,  that they are useless.”

From the beginning of time  the world has boldly proclaimed  that it is wiser  than God.     But,  everyone who lifts his proud mind  against the Lord  will be sorry  when it is Judgment Day  and it is  too late  to change.     Since God’s way is obviously  so beautiful,  and right,  and good,  why should we fight it?     It is much better  to just let the world think of us  as foolish,  and simply put our trust and faith  where it belongs — in the love  and truths  of the LORD,  our Creator and Redeemer.

If the world is so bent  on defying God  in their pride,  we can do nothing  but shake the dust off our feet  and leave them — as Jesus explained  to His disciples  in Luke 9:5,   “And as for those  who do not receive you,  when you depart from that city,  shake off the dust  from your feet  as a testimony against them.”

In the world’s eyes,  let us  “become foolish”  that we might “become wise”  in God’s eyes  and bring  joy  to His heart — and our hearts.

Then we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  Your truths are so good  and wise  and eternal.     Strengthen us  to always live in them  and not be swayed  by the destructive ways  of this world.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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