Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise… We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 1 Corinthians 3:18, 4:10 KJV
It is not easy to be thought a fool. Actually, at times, it can be quite painful to be a member in The Kingdom of Fools.
Isn’t it strange?
In this crazy mixed up world, you can be as mad as a hatter. (Nobody minds much.) You can be involved in all manner of hateful groups, shouting at the top of your lungs; destroying the property of others—as long as you do not call yourself, “A Christian” for if you do that?
You will be hated and the easy target of all sorts of nasty remarks and innuendo, or worse. (And that’s no fun, is it?) Nope.
But remember, the Pharisees thought Jesus was a fool!
The Son of God, The King of Kings, though He did no wrong, and preached only love, was despised and rejected by those He hoped to save from the wrath to come.
So, when the world labels you as “crazy” for what you believe? Remember that you are in exalted company, and try to take the eternal, long view.
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “When you continue to embrace all that I teach, you prove that you are my true followers. For if you embrace the truth, it will release more freedom into your lives.”
Surprised by this, they said, “But we’re the descendants of Abraham and we’re already free. We’ve never been in bondage to anyone. How could you say that we will be released into more freedom?”
I speak eternal truth,” Jesus said. “When you sin you are not free. You’ve become a slave in bondage to your sin. And slaves have no permanent standing in a family, like a son does, for a son is a part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free from sin, then become a true son and be unquestionably free! Even though you are descendants of Abraham, you desire to kill me because the message I bring has not found a home in your hearts. Yet the truths I speak I’ve seen and received in my Father’s presence. But you are doing what you’ve learned from your father!” “What do mean?” they replied. “Abraham is our father!”
Jesus said, “If you are really Abraham’s sons, then you would follow in the steps of Abraham. I’ve only told you the truth that I’ve heard in my Father’s presence, but now you are wanting me dead—is that how Abraham acted? No, you people are doing what your father has taught you!”
Indignant, they responded, “What are you talking about? We only have one Father, God himself! We’re not illegitimate!”
Jesus said, “Then if God were really your father, you would love me, for I’ve come from his presence. I didn’t come here on my own, but God sent me to you. Why don’t you understand what I say? You don’t understand because your hearts are closed to my message!
“You are the offspring of your father, the devil, and you serve your father very well, passionately carrying out his desires. He’s been a murderer right from the start! He never stood with the One who is the true Prince, for he’s full of nothing but lies—lying is his native tongue. He is a master of deception and the father of lies! But I am the true Prince who speaks nothing but the truth, yet you refuse to believe and you want nothing to do with me. Can you name one sin that I’ve committed? Then if I am telling you only the truth, why don’t you believe me? If you really knew God, you would listen, receive, and respond with faith to his words. But since you don’t listen and respond to what he says, it proves you don’t belong to him and you have no room for him in your hearts.”
“See! We were right all along!” some of the Jewish leaders shouted. “You’re nothing but a demon-possessed Samaritan!”
Jesus replied, “It is not a demon that would cause me to honor my Father. I live my life for his honor, even though you insult me for it. I never have a need to seek my own glory, for the Father will do that for me, and he will judge those who do not. I speak to you this eternal truth: whoever cherishes my words and keeps them will never experience death.”
This prompted the Jewish leaders to say, “Now we know for sure that you’re demon possessed! You just said that those who keep watch over your words will never experience death, but Abraham and all the prophets have died! Do you think you’re greater than our father Abraham and all the prophets? You are so delusional about yourself that you make yourself greater than you are!”
Jesus answered them, “If I were to tell you how great I am, it would mean nothing. But my Father is the One who will prove it and will glorify me. Isn’t he the One you claim is your God? But in reality, you’ve never embraced him as your own. I know him, and I would be a liar, like yourselves, if I told you anything less than that. I have fully embraced him, and I treasure his every word. And not only that, Abraham, your ancestor, was overjoyed when he received the revelation of my coming to earth. Yes, he foresaw me coming and was filled with delight!”
But many of the Jewish leaders doubted him and said, “What are you talking about? You’re not even fifty years old yet. You talk like you’ve seen Abraham!”
Jesus said to them, “I give you this eternal truth: I have existed long before Abraham was born, for I AM!”
When they heard this, they picked up rocks to stone him… John 8: 31-59 TPT
Women With Destiny 