Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Decisions
* Scripture: Philip said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"And he (the eunuch) said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" Acts 8:30-31a, NKJV

"Ignorance can be cured; stupid is forever!"
I can't help but chuckle at this bit of philosophical wisdom by a teacher friend of mine. It is one thing to be lacking in knowledge or comprehension about something, but some people seem prone to making bad (stupid) choices in spite of adequate knowledge of the probable outcome.
True wisdom is not found in merely accumulating knowledge, but in the ability to make correct decisions from the possible choices.
I imagine most of us learned pretty quickly that it is quite painful to touch a hot object, like a stove. That experience should impart knowledge about hot things. "Hot! Hot! Don't touch hot things." It shouldn't take too long before someone associates "hot" with probable pain. Knowledge accomplishes little if a person persists in choosing to touch hot things anyway.
"Thou shalt not steal." Seems pretty plain; if it belongs to somebody else, it is not yours. Taking it anyway is stealing! Except for maybe two-year olds, who work by a different standard. Hopefully, two-year olds grow up, and learn that many things belong to someone else. That standard bit of knowledge should be readily understood by all adults, but theft of the highest and lowest degree is rampant in society, judging by the news reports. Breaking the law is just plain stupid, in my book, yet many make bad decisions in spite of knowledge of the consequences.
Knowledge of the differences between good and evil does not by itself lead people to choose good over evil.
Philip was prompted by God to share the gift of instruction and enlightenment. The eunuch was open to guidance and willing to learn. As a result, he heard, and accepted, the good news of Jesus Christ, believed, was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing.
Contrast that with the rich young man who met with the Savior Himself, and went away sorrowful. (Luke 18:23) Or the many other people in the Bible who heard The Word, and chose not to believe.
Be ever open to instruction, always willing to share.
And pray that The Lord will spare us from making unwise decisions.
May 7, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Foolish
* Scripture: Paul said, “We are fools for Christ’s sake . . . 1 Corinthians 4:10a, NKJV

I have had a lifelong interest in, and appreciation for, the role of music in the church, and I have often written about music. Many people especially enjoy gospel music, songs that celebrate Jesus and extol the joys of the Christian life.
It is unlikely, however, that you have heard the following song, unless you dabble into strange song titles, nor will you likely find it in hymnals anytime soon. The opening lines go like this:

“I don’t care if it rains or freezes,
As long as I have my plastic Jesus
Stuck upon the dashboard of my car.”

And, yes, the song is Titled “Plastic Jesus;” you can find it with an internet search. Be prepared to be displeased with the rest of the lyrics, if you do. The words and intent are not exactly, shall we say, “complimentary” toward Christians.
Making fun of Christian beliefs and believers is not a recent phenomena, however, as various passages in the Bible illustrate. A search in a concordance or dictionary of biblical terms will show many uses of the words fool, foolish, or folly, many concerning foolish actions or choices, especially in Proverbs or Ecclesiastes, but let’s focus on the use as applied to believers by nonbelievers, representatives of “the world.” It is enlightening that the Greek word Paul used here, “moros,” also means stupid, and is given as the base for our word “moron” - definitely not usually taken as a compliment by most of us.
There are times, however, when we should accept the term gladly. Consider the times when you have been advised to take some illegal or immoral course of action, stealing or cheating, for example. Ever heard, “You are foolish if you don’t?”
And perhaps you could respond, “April fool is past, and you are the biggest fool at last.”
Yes, what may seem foolish to the those whose expectations greatly differ from the moral and godly minded, may in fact put them in peril. For example, Paul also wrote to the church at Corinth, “The cross is to them that perish, foolishness.” (1 Cor. 1:18)
Look at it like this; You are on a ship which begins to sink. Some people rush to the safe, and proceed to fill their pockets with heavy coins before jumping overboard, deriding the “fools” who elect to ignore the safe (pun intended) and go for the life jackets instead. At this point in the story the true fools are quickly separated from the wise and prudent.
Going one step further, when Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is making you mad.” In other words, “Paul, you are a maniac!” (Acts 26:24)
Such is the judgment of the world. So let them laugh, accept the term with grace. A time will come when God will determine who is foolish and who is not.
January 30, 2005