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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia challenges Christians to, "Have the courage to have your witness regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world." (For Biblical examples of just such a willingness – see Paul at Athens, Acts 17:16-34 & before Festus, Acts 26:1-24) Yet our not being able to fully understand someone or something doesn’t make them foolish. This is doubly true of God and His ways. (Isaiah 55:8) And just because we can’t duplicate something doesn’t mean God hasn’t or can’t do as He sees fit. (Matthew 19:26) That’s part of what makes god – God.
How many times has a young unwed mother claimed God as her baby’s father? How often do illiterate, uneducated field-hands entertain other-worldly visitors? Who would dare claim God-hood for themselves, based on an itinerant ministry and conflict with authorities? What are the odds that a collection of untrained, uneducated "commoners" could start a church based on their leaders wise words and high ideals that would survive thousands of years into the future?
However, ours is a reasonable faith, though one not fully explainable, founded on God’s Son – heaven’s Ambassador – the only way to salvation; as "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are,…" 1 Corinthians 1:27,28 And while we must develop relationships with the unsaved in an attempt at leading them to Christ (Proverbs 11:30), we must never-the-less be cautious about establishing compromising associations with those who are, "…always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth." 2 Timothy 3:7 (See also Psalm 1:1-3) "For the time (has) come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:9,10 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 That’s the essence of faith, part of the "foolishness" of the gospel; being "…sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 For the truly faithful, it also becomes the essence of who we are, impacting our attitudes toward others, our enthusiasm for life, the decisions we make about our personal conduct and our expectations for life after death. As, "According to your faith it will be done to you." Matthew 9:29 Our lives actually become the proof many seek as our actions often speak more eloquently to the reality of Christ and his purposes than we could ever proclaim by words alone. For, "…it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of (truly) foolish men." 1 Peter 2:15
"Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things." Romans 11:31-36 Confidence in such an overwhelmingly awesome God should cement our faith and excite us to proclaim, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believers…" Romans 1:16
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children (in their trusting acceptance of his purpose and will), you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 (see also Matthew 11:25) So, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." Proverbs 3:17 "…do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ephesians 5:17 For, "…everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is…wise… But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is…foolish…" Matthew 7:24-27 "Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…" Ephesians 5:16
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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