Am I wise or foolish?

Jesus spoke of wise and foolish virgins. Both were in the church of God. Both did pray, sing and read the Bible. Then in the end, the wise will enter in but the foolish will remain outside, unsaved. Yet they did not look very different from the wise ones. They both fulfilled the conditions required to remain in the church membership. But something was neglected by the foolish virgins, and therefore they had no oil and their lamps went out. They lost the Holy Spirit, and fell into darkness.

What was the cause of their foolishness? People have asked questions, “If I eat a little meat sometimes will I be lost?” ÒIf I do not attend church meetings, will I be lost?” “If I do not pay tithes will I be lost?” And many similar questions people ask, thinking that small deviations from the truth do not take their salvation away.

But Jesus said, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Like 14:10

The first sin committed by man was to eat the forbidden fruit. The next sin recorded was a murder. One sin committed leads to a next greater sin. Therefore it is foolishness to commit even the smallest sins.

A young man came to Canada from Europe some 40 years ago. He started working very hard. When others had vacations, holidays and parties, he just worked. He looked on these people as foolish, when they could have made money instead of enjoying holidays.

Soon after he started his own business and with hard work he was successful. A little later he started a second factory and eventually a third one. He often talked about his retirement, all that he would do with his money that he had accumulated. Then one day after a full day’s work in the office he went to bed and never woke up. He passed away during his sleep. Was he wise or foolish?

He had no time for God, no time to go to church and very little did he enjoy the money that he had made. Jesus spoke a parable of a rich man whose ground brought a plentiful harvest. “I will say to my soul, Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12: 19-21.

Many people look up to these successful millionaires, admiring them and wishing to be like them, and even envying them. This also is foolishness. True happiness is not gained by riches.

There is another class of people that are called fools in the Bible. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Ps. 14:1.

There is enough evidence for the existence of God for everyone to believe. But these people do not want God. They want to be a god to themselves. To acknowledge God means to be accountable to Him and to render obedience to Him.

Even of those who believe that there is God, very few of them want to be His friend. When Jesus was upon the earth He was often alone. His own church rejected Him. Even His disciples left Him alone in time of danger. He had very few true friends.

When He suffered in the hands of evil men, there was nobody to wipe the blood and sweat from His forehead, or to offer a cup of water to Him. No one spoke a sympathetic word to Him when the sins of the world were pressing upon Him.

It was a custom in the Roman army that anyone to be crucified was first scourged. This flogging was done by an instrument of 4 or 5 chains attached to a wooden handle and in the end of each chain there was a “diameter lead ball with iron spikes sticking out of it. This flogging tore the skin and muscles, causing much bleeding. Then the criminal had to carry his cross to the place of execution, where he was stripped of his clothes and nailed to the cross with iron spikes.

This was the most severe, horrible, and shameful form of execution and at the same time listening to the ridicule and derision of the public.

He who created the whole universe, every star and planet, came to this world to suffer such a cruel and shameful death in the hands of evil men, filled with satanic spirit and hatred towards Him.

Now the way was opened for man to return to the favour of God and to become His sons and daughters and to inherit eternal life.

Yet how little do men value the salvation purchase with such a high price. How few are willing to become His followers.

This is the greatest foolishness that anyone can do, to turn away from Jesus and to despise His great sacrifice. The anger of God will be aroused towards them, towards people who think that the offer of Satan is better than the offer of God.

The half-hearted efforts by many professed Christians are not acceptable to God either. Their money is too precious to be spent for Jesus. Their time is too valuable for Him. They are too busy to work for Him. Are these Christians worthy of Jesus? No, never.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Rom. 1:21, 22.

Many Christians have fallen into this condition. They are lukewarm Christians and therefore in a lost condition.

Human wisdom is foolishness before God. The man with one talent was foolish and many are like him. The rich young man was foolish also, and millions follow his example.

In the time of Noah very few had the wisdom to save themselves. Almost the whole world perished because of their foolishness. And so it will be at the end of the world also.

It is foolishness to think that we gain by sin. Judas thought that he will gain by his betrayal. But he lost all. Balaam thought that he will gain, but he also lost it all. Ananias and Sapphira thought that they will gain by their lie, but they lost it all.

Solomon gives us advice in this regard, “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” Prov. 19:1.

There is no happiness in any sinful practice. “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” Ps. 107:17. And this affliction will come upon every sinner.

Now let us look into wisdom. “O I how I love Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts.” Ps. 119: 97-100.

“And unto man he said, ÒBehold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28.

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver.” Prov. 16:16.

Soon the shaking and separation will take place between the wise and foolish virgins. Then it will be too late to gain wisdom. Today is the time to learn wisdom and to do deep heart searching, and examine ourselves carefully. The deceptions of Satan are many and those who are caught in them do not realize their foolishness, but consider themselves wise.

May the Lord help us to open our eyes and see what we may be lacking yet and what duty we may have neglected. Let us make our calling and election sure that not one of us will fail in the end.
AMEN.

Timo Martin, Canada