Fools for Christ’s Sake

Fools for Christ’s Sake
We are fools for Christ’s sake… —1 Corinthians 4: 10
People make fools of themselves for all kinds of reasons—because they have been drinking, or they want to make others laugh, or make money, or just to make others think they are clever. And no one seems to think that is odd.
But let someone declare he is a fool for Christ’s sake, and the ridicule begins. The world considers it foolish to give up everything for Jesus Christ. Sometimes even our own families mock us. They cannot understand the sacrifices we are willing to make for Jesus.
**Why is it that if you give your life for the service of your country you are called a hero, but if you give your life for the service of Christ, you are called a fool?
Paul was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, and ultimately beheaded for the sake of Jesus Christ. The world would say, “He was a fool.” But as Paul said, his sufferings were “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8: 18).
As a teenager, I was greatly inspired by one man who used to say, “Everybody is somebody’s fool. You might as well be a fool for Christ.” If loving Jesus with all of my heart makes me a fool, then I am a fool. If desiring to serve Jesus with everything I have makes me a fool, then I am a fool. If trusting Jesus for everything makes me a fool, then I am a fool. But I am not ashamed of being a fool for Christ’s sake.
Father, help us to stand against the tide of evil and to speak out for Christ’s sake, even at the cost of being considered a fool. In Jesus’ name, amen.