Pity the Fool

There is such a powerful thing that happens when someone mentions the name of Jesus. Battle lines are drawn. People take sides. Some wince with discomfort. Still others revel in the beauty of grace. It's such an interesting thing to behold in person. You can see the signs on people's faces. That reaction, whatever it is, can tell us a lot about who we are as a people. Think about what Paul said in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:21-25
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The Jews of the time demanded a sign that Jesus was who he said he was. The Greeks needed to reason out what he was all about. What did Jesus do? He offered neither a sign nor reason to unbelievers. He offered salvation for those who believed. Today is no different. Christians have been labeled "anti-science" and portrayed as brainwashed buffoons in the news and popular culture. Yet we are still here. We still endure. There are still those who believe in spite of how unpopular it might make them. God's promises still ring true.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

So take heart, stand strong and never be ashamed of the Gospel. God is on the move. Let's go with him. Even his weaknesses are stronger than we can imagine. The gates of hell cannot defeat us, the Church of Christ.