Have you ever thought about what it really means to be a fool for Christ?

Any such claim is sure to provoke an endless response of pagan humor. Yet, many men who profess Him never become foolish enough for anybody to notice.

In his letter to the church of God which [was] at Corinth, the apostle Paul seems to contrast his identity with that of the readers:

“…I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are distinguished, but we are without honor.” [1Cor. 4:9-10] [my emphasis]

So, what made him different from them?

I wonder if the Corinthian congregations were hungry, thirsty and poorly clothed all the time? Were they treated roughly, not having had a decent place to sleep? Did they bless those who abused them and patiently endure persecution? [see: vss. 4:11-13]

Indeed, some faithful disciples of Christ in the world today have to endure these things. But most in His flock do not—not yet, anyway. Even so, the world despises and ridicules a fool. It’s full of people who do all kinds of stupid things for stupid reasons. But pagans make no distinctions about the reasons for foolish conduct.

There are, though, at least two types of people who do: 1]others in the Body of Christ, and 2]those whom God has given the capacity to actually notice a distinction. Both types recognize that Jesus Christ’s fool will always take the heat for walking on His narrow path of obedience and will always defend His moral high ground at any cost.

And they rarely ever second guess themselves.

That’s why Paul chose to be foolish in the eyes of the world. And, as a father who was speaking to his children, he didn’t suggest they follow suit—he insisted on it:

“Therefore I exhort you, become imitators of me.” [1Cor. 4:16] [my emphasis]

My transformed life as an ambassador for Jesus Christ doesn’t exist to expand or intensify the lusts of my flesh in this age. Nor is my pattern of behavior limited to the eyes in this domain of the human experience. It’s also witnessed by the eyes in an unseen realm. [see: Eph. 3:8-11]

It happened to make Him look good. Not me.

So, I’ll never be foolish enough to be a fool for anyone other than Him.

“Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.” –Antonin Scalia