“A Fool Who Was a Poorly Dressed and Homeless Preacher”

By Bill Brandstatter     In an age where looks matter, the above title probably will catch some attention. In an age when academics and education are significant, the word “fool” engenders negative feelings. In a time when homeless people may be looked upon as “panhandlers,” we should notice for a moment this fool who was poorly dressed and homeless. Let me also add that this man was a preacher. His preaching wasn’t for show. His message wasn’t one of culture relativity. He didn’t preach for profit. Show and entertainment were not in his vocabulary. He preached Christ. This man was the apostle Paul. He uses the above description of himself in 1 Cor. 4:10-13.     What is a fool? The Bible says a “fool” is one who denies the existence of God. (Psa. 14:1) The worldly person would consider the preaching of the cross as foolishness. (1 Cor. 1:18) The preaching of the cross means change has to come. The preaching of the cross requires accountability and responsibility. In this sense, Paul was a “fool” in the eyes of those in his day. (1 Cor. 4:10) The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Perhaps we ought to ask the question: “What kind of fool am I?”     Foolishness in our world is evident in our society today. Many people are circumstance-oriented. The thinking of a few is just change the circumstance or situation and all will be well. The wisdom of the world is not the wisdom of God. Paul makes that abundantly clear in 1Cor.1:18-25. Much of what the world classifies as “smart”, “wise”, “updated” or “in” may be classified as foolishness in the sight of God. Sometimes we are told to “get with the program.” The wisdom of the world says that truth is relative. Everybody is entitled to his or he own belief. There is no exclusive truth. If I give in to this philosophy of the world, I am a fool. The world can lure us through emotions and feelings. Some would say, “How can it be so wrong when it feels so right?” Yet, God’s way tells us to “beware of philosophy of the world.” (Col. 2:8)     Foolishness of God is better than man’s wisdom. Paul wrote: “The foolishness of God is wiser than men.” (1 Cor.11:25) The world tries to reason away the ways of God. God has been taken out of our schools. In many homes, God has been eliminated. Our government tries to take God out of the picture with a false notion of “separation of church and state.” Paul states that God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. (1 Cor. 1:20) God’s way is always right. Without God, man’s way will lead to foolishness and problems. (Prov. 14:12)     Do we go along with the world’s way of thinking? Are we trying to be politically correct or Biblically correct? Are we seeking to please God or man? (Gal. 1:10) Let us be fools for Christ. (1 Cor. 4:10) The world may reject us, but God will accept us.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/