None of us wants to be considered or be seen as a fool by friends, colleagues, neighbours or even family members. We all strive to be up to the so-called standard; we all want to be considered wise and prudent in our decisions, ideas and in all our selections and choices in life. Even in the way we walk, talk and dress we all want to be modest and prudent.
But whenever we are invited to family parties, school parties, college parties, or wedding parties of relatives and friends, what do we experience? In most cases we feel out of place, like fish out of water; we can’t enjoy the music they enjoy, the dress code is different. On the other hand, they are also surprise by our dress code, they feel pity for us; they consider us modest, old-fashioned and uncivilized.
The worst part is when we come to the table, they ask, “Are you sick?” Why can’t you eat and drink this? They don’t know the words of the apostle Paul “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. They don’t know that our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord, by His mighty cleaver of truth, has separated from the world. They feel pity for us that we are not enjoying ourselves, and by the end of the day they have already come up with some funny names for us because of our lifestyle.
What does the apostle Paul say about himself? “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 4:10. “For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.” 2 Corinthians 11:19
What did Festus say after listening to the apostle Paul’s argument? “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” Acts 26:24–25. True faith is madness and foolishness in the sight of man, it has been proved to be so from generation to generation.
To prove this fact let us look into some few examples of what men of faith have experienced in their lives.
Let us start with Noah. The Bible says of him, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:7. Noah had never experienced a flood in his life, neither had his ancestors, but when God warned him about it he began to build the ark, which was also a strange thing for people. He preached, warning the people about the flood which he himself had not seen or experienced; it shows us how great his faith and trust was in God. I believe people asked him a lot of questions about his conviction and beliefs, which perhaps he could not answer, but that didn’t shake his confidence in God. The more they laughed and mocked him, the more his faith and trust in God grew. He was a fool in the eyes of man but, in the end, he managed to save himself and his family with that faith which appeared as foolishness before men.
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing wither he went.” Hebrews 11:8. I have noticed even some missionaries, whenever they are send to another country, they want to know about the place, environment, whether the people are friendly, how secure it is, the weather patterns, etc. But, what do we read of Abraham? He went out, not knowing where he was going. Just imagine his friends and relatives when they asked him, “where are you going?” He would have to say, “Only God knows.” He appeared to be like a fool before his people, yet today he is said to be the father of faith.
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Hebrews 11:24–25. This shows how powerful faith can be. How can one decide to leave the palace of Egypt, and choose to suffer with a few poor slaves? Whereas today, people are fighting, killing each other to remain in palaces, while some are also striving to enter into Egypt’s palaces. His decision appeared as foolishness before the Egyptians and even his friends. I believe many people were envious and admired Moses, wishing it was them that had been raised in the palace. But to Moses it was vanity; he chose suffering rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. But, in the end the Bible testifies that there was no man who was as meek as Moses, with whom God spoke with face to face. “The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire.” Deuteronomy 5:4. Before man, he was like a fool but before God he was a hero of faith.
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.” Hebrews 11:30. Exercising our faith is the secret power of God. As the children of Israel were marching around Jericho, the people inside the city were surprised. They must have reasoned with themselves, “what does this feeble people, without chariots of iron, wish to accomplish?” It was faith in God which made the Israelites march around the city of Jericho. They appeared like fools in the eyes of the people of Jericho as they rose each morning, marching around that great walled city. Finally, through faith, the walls of Jericho fell and the enemies were killed. The faith which brought them to action was greater than the walls of Jericho, even though it appeared as foolishness.
Throughout the Bible men and women of faith managed to accomplish great things, though they appeared fools in the eyes of men.
“Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:35–38. Why? Because of their true uncompromising faith.
What is this faith? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Where does this faith come from? “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
At school are you considered a fool because of your lifestyle? At work, what do people see in you as you go about your duties? Do they see something different? What do you reflect? What does your clothing show? What about your food? What about the type of music you love? What about the types of entertainment you choose? What about the types of friends you associate with? If you are considered a fool in the things of this world they are right, and great is your reward in heaven, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:12
Why should we be so different? “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. We are peculiar, we are a unique people—we are not of this world—we are looking for a better world, even heaven itself. Our lifestyle attests to this fact; that is why our dress code is different; that is why we eat differently, we live differently, we talk differently, we worship differently, we believe differently. People don’t understand us, hence they call us all kinds of names. We appear foolish in their eyes, but great is our reward if we remain faithful unto the end. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7. “Men of power are those who have been opposed, baffled, and thwarted.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 500
“There is a picture representing a bullock standing between a plough and an altar, with the inscription, ‘Ready for either,’ ready to toil in the furrow or to be offered on the altar of sacrifice. This is the position of the true child of God—willing to go where duty calls, to deny self, to sacrifice for the Redeemer’s cause.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 502
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
David Gwina (Sierra Leone)