Many times over the years I’ve noticed how Christians are often derided and spoken to as if they’re automatically of low intelligence for having their beliefs. Christian characters in films and TV programs are frequently portrayed as “simple” or “naive” while the real “thinkers” and “intellects” of this world are the atheists.
This is of course a very flawed way of viewing a Christian and a rather insulting assumption to make as believing in God doesn’t bear any reflection on a person’s IQ level. What’s interesting to note is that the Bible actually tells us in Proverbs 9:10,
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
No matter what our belief system is in life however, it all takes faith. The atheist has to have faith that there is no God and must believe in things that they can’t see or prove. We all have a faith in something bigger than ourselves, whether that’s the “big bang theory” or the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
Ultimately a person’s belief system is not to do with their brain tissue but rather it’s a heart issue. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:18,
“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’
Says the Lord.”
At no point does God ask us to leave our brain cells at the door and just blindly believe in Him with no questions asked or form of reasoning. God gave us brains to use and mankind’s exploration and understanding of the world over the centuries has brought us many benefits such as medical advancements and scientific findings. They are of course, wonderful gifts from the Creator of all things, God Himself.
I think it’s very clear that there are people of all different intelligence levels on both sides of the debate. To categorise one side in it’s entirety as being either “high” or “low” in intelligence is a flawed thing to do. There are clearly some very erudite theists and atheists in life and so this brings us back to the point that our acceptance of God is not to do with our intelligence levels. Rather, it’s a matter of the heart and whether we want to acknowledge our Creator or not.
As the Bible says in John 3:18-21,
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
My reason for saying all of this is to make the point that my title for this poem, “Fool For Jesus,” is not a declaration of stupidity! I’m not claiming naivety for myself or any other Christian for that matter. It’s simply in the context of a non-believer thinking that my passion and love for Jesus makes me “foolish” in their eyes. If my adoration for my Saviour is a challenge to someone, then that’s actually a compliment to me! That’s not an insult at all.
When I was discussing Jesus with a non-believer one day, they went on to refer to me as “a fanatic” and I happily explained to them that being a “fanatic” isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it depends on who or what you’re fanatical about! If being passionate about Jesus and unwavering in my appreciation for what He’s done for me makes me “foolish” to some, then so be it!
I love to share the Gospel because Jesus is too good to keep to myself! It’s not that I welcome mockery or want to be known as a “fool” by anyone but if my genuine love for Christ has some people baffled then I’m ok with that. As I’ve heard it said, “We’re all a fool for someone in this life whether we realise it or not.” I’d much rather be a fool for Jesus than a fool for anyone else!
I’ll be a fool for Jesus! That’s a title I can take. This is of course a very flawed way of viewing a Christian and a rather insulting assumption to make as believing in God doesn’t bear any reflection on a person’s IQ level. What’s interesting to note is that the Bible actually tells us in Proverbs 9:10,
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
No matter what our belief system is in life however, it all takes faith. The atheist has to have faith that there is no God and must believe in things that they can’t see or prove. We all have a faith in something bigger than ourselves, whether that’s the “big bang theory” or the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
Ultimately a person’s belief system is not to do with their brain tissue but rather it’s a heart issue. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:18,
“‘Come now, and let us reason together,’
Says the Lord.”
At no point does God ask us to leave our brain cells at the door and just blindly believe in Him with no questions asked or form of reasoning. God gave us brains to use and mankind’s exploration and understanding of the world over the centuries has brought us many benefits such as medical advancements and scientific findings. They are of course, wonderful gifts from the Creator of all things, God Himself.
I think it’s very clear that there are people of all different intelligence levels on both sides of the debate. To categorise one side in it’s entirety as being either “high” or “low” in intelligence is a flawed thing to do. There are clearly some very erudite theists and atheists in life and so this brings us back to the point that our acceptance of God is not to do with our intelligence levels. Rather, it’s a matter of the heart and whether we want to acknowledge our Creator or not.
As the Bible says in John 3:18-21,
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
My reason for saying all of this is to make the point that my title for this poem, “Fool For Jesus,” is not a declaration of stupidity! I’m not claiming naivety for myself or any other Christian for that matter. It’s simply in the context of a non-believer thinking that my passion and love for Jesus makes me “foolish” in their eyes. If my adoration for my Saviour is a challenge to someone, then that’s actually a compliment to me! That’s not an insult at all.
When I was discussing Jesus with a non-believer one day, they went on to refer to me as “a fanatic” and I happily explained to them that being a “fanatic” isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it depends on who or what you’re fanatical about! If being passionate about Jesus and unwavering in my appreciation for what He’s done for me makes me “foolish” to some, then so be it!
I love to share the Gospel because Jesus is too good to keep to myself! It’s not that I welcome mockery or want to be known as a “fool” by anyone but if my genuine love for Christ has some people baffled then I’m ok with that. As I’ve heard it said, “We’re all a fool for someone in this life whether we realise it or not.” I’d much rather be a fool for Jesus than a fool for anyone else!
I’ll wave the banner proudly if it’s all for Jesus’ sake!
Call me a “fanatic” or a “zealot” for the Lord,
I’ll gladly be fanatical about my awesome God!
Who wouldn’t be ecstatic to speak about His love?
Who wouldn’t want to share the joy He grants you from above?
It causes no embarrassment and brings no hint of shame
To tell you that I love His Word and praise His holy name!
The faithfulness of Jesus Christ I’ll happily impart,
I’ll share with great exuberance of how He won my heart!
You’ll find no lack of passion, I’ll speak without restraint
For I am not ashamed that I am numbered with the Saints!
I’ll be a fool for Jesus, that’s no insult to me!
Praises to the Mighty King who died to set me free!
My Saviour came to give His life and save me from my sin,
So God forbid I shy away and dare not live for Him!
To think of how Christ came as Man and gave His very best,
How can I withhold from Him and give Him any less?
I will not turn aside from God or seek a place to hide
And when He comes again you’ll find me standing by His side!
Perhaps these words are baffling or things you can’t perceive.
Perhaps you seek to mock my life and all that I believe
But I will share the Gospel for I know it to be true.
How you choose to live your life is simply up to you.
But one more thing I must convey, a truth so clear to tell;
We’re all a fool for someone so choose your subject well.
I’ll be a fool for Jesus, my spirit heard His call.
He’s won my heart, my soul, my life. My Saviour’s won it all!
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Matthew 18:2-4
“Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 10:32-34
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
Joshua 24:14-16
“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
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