A Fool

A "fool" isn't something we are supposed to strive to be. It's not something that I want to be called. The online dictionary defines a fool as: 1: a person lacking in judgment or b: one who is victimized or made to appear foolish ...3 a: a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding 1

This certainly is not very flattering. The Bible has much to say about fools as well...and 99% of what it has to say is not complimentary either. Here are a few examples from scripture:

Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."

Proverbs 10:14 "Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin."

Proverbs 24:7 "Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say."

I read many verses in regard to the "fool" and the Bible has many warnings against fools and foolishness. And then I came across the Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 4:10: "We are fools for Christ..." In this verse Paul is proud of being a "fool" but not just any old fool but a "fool for Christ." It may have appeared to the "world" that Paul and the followers of Jesus were fools. They were made to be "spectacles" or jokes to the world (vs. 9). They appeared to be "weak," and without honor (vs. 10). They were homeless, starving, thirsty and wore rags for clothing (vs. 11). They had been mistreated and tortured. What was their response to their circumstances and the way were treated?

They worked hard, blessed those who cursed them, they endured hardship and answered cruelty with kindness (vs. 12,13). Yes, to the world it would appear that these followers of Jesus Christ were indeed fools to continue in their faith. But for Paul, it was a badge of honor to be called "a fool for Christ."

When I think about it, there are some non-Christian friends and family members of mine who may not have spoken the words "you are a fool!" to me but have conveyed it in other ways. I have not endured the hardships that the early Christians endured and hopefully I never will. I don't want to be known as a fool but....

If I'm known as a "FOOL FOR CHRIST" I will wear it as a badge of honor following in the footsteps in a long line of "fools."

"A FOOL FOR CHRIST."

I think that would make a great bumper sticker! Don't you?

MaryAnn

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 35 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of two grandsons. She serves at America's Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

1 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fool retrieved 7/9/09