Let’s Be Fools for Christ

The Apostle Paul says (even complains) we are fools for Christ.

⁹ For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! ¹¹ To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. ¹² We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

As the world looks in Paul’s time, we are fools for believing the words of a Crucified King. Kings are not crucified. If deposed, they might be beheaded. Slaves are crucified. Kings do not die for their people. People die for their Kings. The Apostles knew their message was foolish, but they spoke anyway as knew it was true and loved their crucified King.

Can we take Jesus at his Word? Jesus does not change with the culture. We may believe God’s way is not cool. Look at Jesus, He will not fight back in anger, but will bless. It is foolishness. It could make us ‘the garbage of the world.’

So, the Apostles though shamed in some ways, still spoke, and they died like Jesus had as well.  The world can say -foolish. Following and obeying a crucified King does not make sense. Well, it does not make sense unless God raised him in glory. God gets the last word. Hurray! In this life, we may be ashamed, but God will vindicate those who chose him over the world.

In Paul’s case, some “smart” apostles denied salvation by faith alone. Some other ‘smart’ guys denied the resurrection. Some said we could now live immoral lives or live for money.  Others collected a lot of money from the people.

Paul never asked for money for himself from Corinthians. (The Philippian church and his tent business supplied him)

Paul was never in it for the money. He gave all and knew the world saw him as a fool, a fool for Christ.

Can We Be Fools for Christ When God Calls Us?

When I tell people I am a Christian in China, they think it is is just a saying. Then, when they suddenly discover I believe they often laugh.  Furthermore, when things get deeper, and people find they must bow to God and ask forgiveness, it sometimes seems that much harder. Are we fools?  In each context, there are various challenges to spreading the faith. May we hold the Cross high, and be fools whenever we have a chance.  We will get the last laugh and laugh with the people who laughed at us. I have done it.