At one time … we too were foolish …
Summary: Paul the apostle makes the case that everyone has been foolish at some time, even the apostles chosen by Jesus himself.
When Paul writes, “we too were foolish,” he is referring to a specific group of people. While we cannot know for certain which group he is referring to, we can guess.
Our first guess would be the safest. “We too” includes everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior. That seems fairly generic and safe, doesn’t it? However, there is another group that is a bit more elite. Paul is an apostle. He is one of the few who were chosen personally by Jesus to represent him. His words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, became Scripture. The “we too” could mean this group.
If Paul is thinking about himself and the other apostles, he is making an important point. No one in the body of Christ got there on merit. No one.
In Paul’s case, “we too were foolish” would include his actions before he encountered Jesus. Do you remember what this man did?
By all accounts, Paul (formerly Saul) sounds like he was a serious young man. He was an up-and-coming Pharisee and was expected to make a name for himself. Yet now, as an apostle, he was ashamed of who he had been. As Paul himself explained to the Jews in Jerusalem:
“… people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” (Acts 22: 19-20)
As an enemy of Jesus, he made “murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” (Acts 9:1)
At the time, Paul’s hatred of those who followed Jesus made perfect sense to him. Yet after being chosen by Jesus to be an apostle, he realized how foolish he had been.
Now, I grant you that our foolishness before meeting Christ might have been different than Paul’s. Yet, it is important to realize that Paul, like all the other apostles, carried with him the memories of their foolishness before receiving the Holy Spirit. Peter is famous for swearing to die for Jesus and then denies even knowing him (Matthew 26: 69-75). James and John asked to have places of honor in heaven higher than everyone else (Mark 10:37). All of the disciples were afraid of the storm while Jesus calmly slept in the back of the boat (Matthew 8:23-27).
My own foolishness still haunts me. Both the foolishness of my youth and the struggles I have today. Yet, I am comforted to know I am not alone. Even the apostles chosen by Jesus himself were foolish at one time.
Application: Know that we are not made worthy for heaven by our own works or wisdom. It is only by the grace of God who through Jesus Christ saves us from our foolishness.
Food for Thought: Why is it important to for us to understand what foolishness is?
By identifying what foolishness is, we can spot it in our own lives to make changes. We can also hopefully avoid it. God’s wisdom is foolish to the world. So knowing what He says is wise or foolish is critical. 1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 31.
Rich,
What a great point! Thank you! The 1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 31 passage is very appropriate, too.
Why is it important to for us to understand what foolishness is?
We need to understand foolishness so we can avoid it.
The Bible says “The Cross” is foolishness to those who are perishing, (choosing eternal separation from God.) Salvation through Jesus Christ, choosing to live a life with standards we can never achieve is foolishness to those who create their own standards of righteousness. God has revealed His invisible attributes to all mankind through His creation and will one day destroy the wisdom of these who consider themselves wise as He makes foolish the wisdom of this world.
Proverbs 14:1216:25, I Corinthians 1:18-20, Romans. 1:18-22
As believers we have become secure in our salvation, but we can also blindly live our lives in foolishness.
OUR WASTING THE TIME GIVEN BY GOD IS FOOLISH:
If we surf the internet without aim for hours on end, constantly browse our Twitter feed, or watch TV like the average American, 5 hours each day, we might be a foolish Christian. We are called to use our time wisely and with great care, not as fools. Jesus admonished the Pharisees as hypocrites for giving the appearance of worldly good, while denying their hearts to God.
OUR DAILY SEEKING OUR WILL OVER GODS WILL IS FOOLISH:
Our hearts desires will determine the direction of our lives and must be guarded each day. Foolishness comes as we neglect studying Gods Word, prayer, avoid being committed to a local church, or make no effort to know how to live a life that pleases the Lord. These rob us of a blessed relationship with our God and fellow believers..
OUR NOT LIVING BY THE SPIRIT IS FOOLISH:
Our spirits have been given eternal life, as our flesh has been put to death. Not living in the teachings of the Holy Spirit Spirit leads to being far from God. The inner desire and ability to study the bible are not with us, we struggling with assurance of our salvation and a lack guidance. Without the Holy Spirit we will live as if we were still sinners, and have no power to act for God in any capacity.
Ephesians 5:15-16, 5:10, Matthew 23:25-26, Proverbs 4:23,
John 14:26, 1 John 3:24, Romans 8:13-14, Acts 1:8
Gods Word teaches we are to stop conforming to this world and to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. Those who belong to God will do good works, and as His new creation we will live knowing the old has passed away as we allow the new person to grow and serve God. We will have the peace of God, with God, as the Holy Spirit grows in authority over our lives.
Romans 12:2, 3 John 1:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Ron,
You, too, have focused on the dividing line between the world’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. Like an upside down image, both are views of the same thing, only one is reversed. In Satan’s view evil is good and good is evil.