if God had more morons in his service, the world would likely be a much better place. Paul was such a person, at least according to his own account of things.
We are fools (Greek: morons) for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.1 Corinthians 4:10 (ESV)
When I think of a moron, my mind immediately goes to a Far Side image of a buck-toothed idiot sitting on a stool with a dunce cap on his head. How cruel. Being considered a fool is something many people genuinely fear and will go to great lengths to prevent. Adam and Eve were made to feel foolish by the serpent, which was a large part of the reason that in order to be “wise” they chose to believe an outright lie, disobey God, and embrace death.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (ESV)
The Corinthians had fallen for the same lie. In an effort to be wise in men’s eyes, they had forsaken God, the fountain of true wisdom.
Following Christ requires us to accept that the ungodly, and sometimes misinformed or carnal Christians, will hold us in disrepute.
Jesus told his followers to beware when all speak well of us. Following the Spirit and the Word of God will always put us at odds with the world system, which uses mockery, persecution, and lies to try to intimidate us into accepting its lies.
It all boils down to where we choose to get our validation, from God or men.
The fear of God teaches us that his opinion is the only one that matters. Because the Father validated Jesus as his only Son in whom we was and is well-pleased, Jesus was able to endure the scorn and violence of those who rejected his lordship. Unless we choose to regard God’s opinion more than man’s, we will succumb to the fear of man, which is a snare that leads to death.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 1 Corinthians 4:3 (ESV)
Unless we can endure the judgments and scorn of men, we cannot be very effective servants of Christ.
Unless we embrace the foolishness of doing what God says, we will crumble before hostile opponents.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
The kingdom of God needs more people who are willing to look foolish in men’s eyes in order to bring glory to God. Will you be one of these?
