Matt W Cook

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

God does odd things. I’ve often wondered why Paul wasn’t allowed to go to Spain like he wanted to. Why couldn’t he preach there? Or why did Moses have to die outside the Promised Land? He could have led Israel for a few more years and maybe things wouldn’t have gotten as bad as they did. What if this? What if that? Blah blah blah. The foolishness of God is wiser than men.

Or so we say.

Meanwhile we still delight in mixing a spoonful of Scripture with a cup of brains and willpower when we do ‘ministry’. We claim to be led by the Spirit but I think we’re often led by common-sense, statistics and heavy thinking. Thinking’s not bad. Common-sense is pretty good. But I’d rather have the foolishness of God any day. And I’m sure everyone would agree.

But we usually agree in words only. What happens when it gets down to crunch-time? Are we really radical enough to throw the best laid plans? I read something neat:

If you return, O Israel, declares the Lord,
To me you should return.
If you remove the detestable things from my presence,
And do not waver,
And if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’
In truth, in justice, and in righteousness,
Then the nations shall bless themselves in him,
And in him shall glory.

So what is best evangelization plan or program? How will Canada, America, Sindh or Saudi Arabia be effectively permeated with the Gospel? Not by tracts. Not by programs or videos or campaigns or healing crusades. Not by schools or hospitals of drop-in centers (even though these things may help a little). The key to the total evangelization of the world is in Lovers of Christ. This passage amazes me. You expect the last two lines to say something like ‘I will bless you and give you victory’ like most other prophecies. But God wants to point out something different here. You want people to taste the God you have tasted? Prove that he tastes good! We need lovers of Christ who don’t waver in truth, justice and righteousness. lovers of Christ who separate themselves and ‘swear’ by their hope in Christ, not counting on the crap the world counts on. That is where success lies. Not in out best-laid plans, but in the radical, not-so-wise, complete submission and rejoicing in the Christ of the universe. If we insist on using our brains first and adding a bit of Bible polish later we will experience the truth that God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. I would much rather be a fool with Chirst than a genius without.

Pray for radical obedience.