For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. 1 Corinthians 1:18 HCSB

We all see other people do things and think it’s foolish, right? We may judge what others spend their money on. We may judge what others wear. We may judge how others raise their children. We often look at what other people do and consider it to be foolish.

Here Paul is telling the Corinthians the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. He’s referring to those who are lost and dying. For these people, the gospel of Jesus Christ or the message of Christ seems like foolishness. If you devote yourself to Christ, you will find some of your friends and family members will consider you to be foolish.

There was a time in my life when my priorities were foolish. I went to church early on Sunday so I could be out on the river boating with my friends by 10:30. I thought as long as I squeezed Jesus in somewhere, He would be good with it. I was one of those lost and dying people who were being foolish.

I lived as I wanted to live. I sought revenge on those who wronged me. I didn’t worry about imitating Christ. I worried more about what others thought of me. I was being foolish.

I thank God for the wonderful example set by my mother and my paternal grandmother. They taught me to be in church every time the doors were open, to study my Bible daily, and to pray continually. I’m sure they were praying for me when I was being foolish.

Oh, how prayer and time change things. I would come to a point in my life where living the way I was living began to seem like a bunch of foolishness. I was living with one foot in the church and the other in the world. I was thinking I could have my sin and my salvation too. Isn’t it foolish to lie to yourself in that way?

As I began to go to church and get involved in church, I studied my Bible and prayed. God began to deal with me about the sin I needed to remove from my life. He began to show me that it would never work. He began to show me how miserable sin can make you feel. Oh, it’s good at first. It’s fun and exciting and tastes good or feels good. But it soon turns on you and brings you down.

So, I ask you today what do you consider foolishness? Do you think it foolish to spend your Sundays sitting on a church pew when you have so many other things you need to be doing? Do you consider it foolishness to take time out of your overpacked schedule each day to study your Bible and pray? Do you consider it foolishness to acknowledge God and trust in Him in all you do?

If you had asked me these questions years ago, I would have said no. But the way I lived my life said otherwise. There was a time when I put myself first. I had little time for Jesus. Of course, if I got in a jam, I was all about Jesus helping me out of it.

But my friend, how times have changed. My sinful ways and halfhearted Christianity weren’t working. My tucking Jesus away on some shelf until I decided I needed Him wasn’t working. I had nowhere to go but to Him. I had to give it all over to Him. I had run myself ragged trying to do it on my own. I had to put Him first in my life. That was the best and wisest decision I ever made.

I now look back at the sins I committed and find them to be foolish and shameful. I look back at the way I treated Jesus and realize how foolish I have been. I was trading today for eternity. Think about that one for a minute.

I had to repent and give it all over to Him.

Are you living as God has called you to live? If not, you are being foolish. It’s that simple. The only wisdom we will ever have is found in Jesus Christ. So, if you consider yourself wise, you are being foolish. Turn to Him today. Love Him with your whole heart. Give your all to Him. Don’t be foolish.

Have a great day!